A literature review is a study of the existing literature, journal articles, books, reports and other information and evidence published on a given topic. It is a critical and evaluative account of any published work around a research field, including a description and analysis of existing knowledge of the topic, the identification of any gaps in the existing body of knowledge, and - where appropriate - an explanation of how your research might further develop current understanding of the subject.
A literature review is not simply a description or summary of each individual paper. It should instead be structured around the findings of the articles considered, and is therefore an opportunity to identify common themes and issues as well as highlighting opposing arguments.
When you are given an assignment questions make sure you fully understand what is being asked on you. Refer to the guidance in your module handbook or lecture slides for further information, or discuss it with your tutors.
1. Identify the 'question' word(s)
You could use the 'Analysing the question' section of the Skills for Learning website to help you.
2. Identify core concepts/keywords
What is the main focus of the question?
3. Identify synonyms or related terms
Example:
Examine with reference to the literature mental health services within the prison setting
'Examine' is the question word - it's what you have to do
On the next tab you will find tips and tricks to help you develop your search strategy and make your searching more efficient.
| Topic 1: Mental health services | Topic 2: Prison |
|---|---|
| Counselling | Imprisonment |
| Mental health diagnosis | Prisoner |
| In-reach services | Incarceration |
Once you have identifying your keywords, synonyms and related terms you can start to construct a search strategy.
4. Use search tools:
Phrase searching uses speech marks to help you search for phrases e.g. "pains of imprisonment"
Truncation uses the asterisk to help you search for terms with variant endings e.g. prison* = prison, prisoner.
5. Combine terms using AND, OR and NOT
AND - for combining different concepts
OR - for identifying research that use synonyms or related terms. You need to put the similar terms in brackets.
NOT - use when you want to exclude a term (use with caution as it can eliminate useful results too)
(prison OR incarceration OR imprisonment) AND ("mental health" OR counselling OR "in-reach")
Some resources have an 'advanced search' feature which can help you to combine your searches.
6. Identify appropriate resources to search.
a. Reading lists - are there any core textbooks that your tutors recommend on your topic?
Check your modules in MyBeckett
b. Use Discover to find additional books and e-books
c. Use Discover to search our e-journals and other subscriptions
d. Use databases to help you focus your results - available on the 'Databases' page of this guide
You can search most databases in exactly the same way, the search screen may just look a bit different.
To help you refine your results and make them more manageable look for limiters such as 'Publication date' or 'Resource type'
There are several tools to help with evaluating the quality of articles and research papers. The PROMPT mnemonic can be used to help you identify key areas to evaluate when reading a paper.
Presentation: look out for poor use of language and inappropriate or ineffectual writing style
Relevance: does the paper answer your question and fit within the geographical or time period restrictions of your search strategy?
Objectivity: look for any hidden bias or selective interpretation of data. Also authors usually list conflicts of interest and sponsorship/ funding sources at the end of the article which may influence their arguments.
Method: is it clear how the research was carried out? Use your knowledge from previous lectures/ tutorials to critique the methods for data collection. Question whether the methods are appropriate? Look at things like the size of the sample tested in the study, was a pilot study conducted prior to the main research to iron out any potential problems? Look at the design of the questions if a questionnaire was used.
Provenance; look at the qualifications of the author. Do they have a particularly controversial view on the subject? Also, check whether the researcher has been sponsored. If so, are they sponsored by a commercial, voluntary or research organisation? Is the organisation well established? Remember to check the publication method. Has the article been published in a well regarded, peer reviewed journal?
Timelines; depending upon your topic, you may decide you need up to date information.
The CRAAP mnemonic is also an easy way to remember key points to look for when critiquing papers and websites
Currency: how up to date is the research
Relevancy: does the paper answer your research question and any exclusion criteria
Accuracy: how reliable are the methods of data collection. Has the researcher chosen the best way to investigate their question
Authority: who has written the paper? Are they a reliable source
Purpose: why has the paper been written. was it to entertain, education or sell something?
For more information about referencing, including the full Leeds Beckett Harvard guide - please click on the referencing tab at the top of the page or visit our Referencing & Plagiarism pages.
Conducting a literature review involves a LOT of searching and reading. It is therefore important to keep a record of what searching you have done and where. It is recommended that you keep a searching log. Keep a notebook and record;
You may wish to keep a record using a document such as the Search Log here. Check with your tutor whether this would be suitable to include in your Appendix. Think of it as a paper trail of your searching or even as a set of instructions for whoever is marking your work.
