A literature review is an explanation of what has been published on a subject by recognized researchers. Occasionally you will be asked to write one as a separate assignment (sometimes in the form of an annotated bibliography--, but more often it is part of the introduction to an essay, research report, thesis or dissertation.

Critical literature reviews help to write your literature review more effectively:

A literature review must do these things:
a.be organized around and related directly to the thesis or research question you are developing
b.synthesize results into a summary of what is and is not known
c.identify areas of controversy in the literature
d.formulate questions that need further research

Before writing literature review ask yourself questions like these:

1.What is the specific thesis, problem, or research question that my review of literature helps to define?
2.What type of literature review am I conducting? Am I looking at issues of theory? methodology? policy? quantitative research (e.g. on the effectiveness of a new procedure)? qualitative research (e.g., studies )?
3.What is the scope of my literature review? What types of publications am I using (e.g., journals, books, government documents, popular media)? What discipline am I working in (e.g., nursing psychology, sociology, medicine)?
4.How good was my information seeking? Has my search been wide enough to ensure I've found all the relevant material? Has it been narrow enough to exclude irrelevant material? Is the number of sources I've used appropriate for the length of my paper?
5.Have I critically analyzed the literature I use? Do I follow through a set of concepts and questions, comparing items to each other in the ways they deal with them? Instead of just listing and summarizing items, do I assess them, discussing strengths and weaknesses?
6.Have I cited and discussed studies contrary to my perspective?
7.Will the reader find my literature review relevant, appropriate, and useful?

Tips on writing a literature review (Hart 1998)

Sentences Express one idea in a sentence. Ensure that all your sentences have a subject, verb and object.

Paragraphs Group sentences that express and develop one aspect of your topic. Use a new paragraph for another aspect or another topic.

Consistent Grammar Use sentences and paragraphs with appropriate use of commas, colours and semi-colours. Incorrect use of punctuation can affect the meaning.

Transition Words Use words that link paragraphs and which show contrast and development to your argument e.g. ‘hence’, ‘therefore’, ‘but’, ‘thus’, ‘as a result’, ‘in contrast’.

How to do or write a literature review

1.The literature search

Find out what has been written on your subject. Use as many bibliographical sources as you can to find relevant titles. The following are likely sources:
•Bibliographies and references in key textbooks and recent journal articles. Your supervisor or tutor should tell you which are the key texts and relevant journals.
•Abstracting journals, such as APAIS, Psychological Abstracts, Library and Information Science Abstracts, etc.
•Electronic databases, eg Electronic Reference Library (ERL), First Search, or Expanded Academic.
Many abstracting journals and electronic databases are available through the University Library's Research Gateway.
A useful reference book for information searches:
Lane, Nancy D 1996. Techniques for Student Research: A Practical Guide. Second edition. Melbourne: Longman (UC library call number Z 711.2 L36).