SWSLHD Libraries Research support : Literature Reviews

The structure of a literature review can vary depending on the requirements of the specific discipline, the purpose of the review, and the preferences of the author. However, there are generally common elements that you can include in your literature review. Here is a typical structure:

Introduction:

• Provide an overview of the topic and its significance.
• State the purpose of the literature review and its scope. 
• Define any key terms or concepts that will be used throughout the review.
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria:

Explain the criteria used to select the literature for your review (e.g. age groups, study design, context, geographical scope, publication date range, language, etc.). Justify the rationale behind your criteria to ensure the literature you include is relevant and appropriate for your review.

Literature search process:

• Describe the search methods and strategies you used to identify relevant literature (e.g., databases, search terms, reference lists, citation tracking, etc.).
• Provide details about the number of initial search results and how you narrowed down the literature to the final set included in your review.

Themes or sub-topics:

• Organize the literature according to themes or sub-topics related to your research question.
• Present the main ideas, theories, findings, and arguments from each study or group of studies.
• Identify commonalities, patterns, and gaps in the literature.

Critical analysis:

• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of the studies included in your review.
• Assess the methodologies, sample sizes, data sources, and research designs used in the literature.
• Highlight any inconsistencies, contradictions, or controversies among the studies.

Synthesis and discussion:

• Synthesise the information from the reviewed studies, focusing on the key findings and trends.
• Identify any gaps or areas where further research is needed.
• Discuss the implications of the literature for your research question or topic.
• Provide a summary of the current state of knowledge and how your research will contribute to it.

Conclusion:

• Summarise the main points of the literature review.
• Emphasise the key findings and their implications.
• Suggest directions for future research based on the identified gaps.

References:

Include a list of all the references cited in your literature review, following the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Harvard, Vancouver... ). You could use citation management software to format your references according to a specific referencing style within the text and in the list of references. 

Remember, this is a general structure, and you should adapt it to the specific requirements of your discipline and the purpose of your literature review. Always consult your instructor or research advisor for any specific guidelines or expectations.

To find more information on different type of literature review and how to conduct a literature review see below. 

Elicit.org

Elicit is an AI-powered search tool designed to assist researchers in conducting literature reviews and other research tasks. It uses advanced GPT technology to search for meaning within academic articles, making the literature review process more efficient and targeted. The system helps with literature review streamline including refining search questions, filtering and customising search results, customising results column and saving and tracking research. Elicit can transform your academic writing experience by streamlining the literature review process.