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Literature Reviews

Guide on conducting and writing a literature review

Selecting a topic

  1. What interests you?

    • Brainstorm topics that spark your curiosity or passion.
    • Think about subjects you’d enjoy researching and writing about.

  2. Is the topic relevant?

    • Ensure the topic aligns with the assignment requirements or course objectives.
    • Check that the topic is timely and significant within your field.

  3. Is the topic focused?

    • Assess if the topic is too broad or too narrow.
    • Aim for a balanced topic that can be explored in-depth but isn’t overwhelming.

  4. Is the topic original?

    • Ensure the topic offers a fresh perspective or new insights.
    • Avoid overly explored or generic topics unless you can add a unique angle.

Google Scholar

 Google Scholar Logo is a multidisciplinary database that indexes books, academic journals, research papers, dissertations, abstracts and articles from professional societies, academic publishers, universities and scholarly organizations.    

TIP:  If you are searching this resource off campus, click Scholar Preferences and go to the library link section and find Walsh and OhioLINK.  Save your preferences. Your results will show items that are available. Many libraries have set up links to Google Scholar. 

NEVER  pay for articles, you may request them via Interlibrary Loan.

Google Scholar Search

Selecting Articles For Your Review

  • Combine your topic with such terms as “literature review” OR “empirical study”.  (In some databases you can narrow your search to literature reviews, qualitative studies, empirical studies, etc.)
     
  • Are there key authors or studies that have been cited numerous times related to your topic?
     
  • A resource to use while you are selecting materials is The Literature Review:  A Few Tips on Conducting It by the University of Toronto Libraries:
  1. What is the specific thesis, problem, or research question that my literature review helps todefine?
  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 analysed 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?

From  The University of Toronto, Canada  Writing Centre <http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/litrev.html>  

 

NOTE:  Use the best articles regardless of whether they are full text. Articles may be available in print at the Library or you may get them from other libraries by requesting them via Interlibary Loan.