literature review

(noun)

A synthesis of the critical points of current knowledge in a given field, which includes significant findings as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic.

Related Terms

  • lit
  • quantitative
  • qualitative
  • status quo
  • IMRAD
  • result
  • Quantitative

Examples of literature review in the following topics:

  • Presenting the Prevailing Theories

    • In your writing, you should include a "literature review," which discusses some prevailing theories that dominate your specific topic.
    • A literature review is an overview of writing from a particular scholarly field.
    • Not all academic science papers require literature reviews, but they are quite common in such papers.
    • Literature reviews compile information rather than conduct new research or introduce new evidence.
    • State the importance of a literature review in an academic scientific paper
  • Overview of the IMRAD Model

    • The body of a scientific paper generally consists of the following sections: introduction (which may include a literature review), methods, results, and discussion.
    • You can cite relevant sources in the methods, discussion, and conclusion sections, but again, save the lengthy discussion of those sources for the introduction or literature review.
    • While not always required, the literature review can be an important part of your introduction.
    • The literature review should only refer to work that affects your particular question.
    • One of the goals of the literature review is to demonstrate familiarity with a body of knowledge.
  • APA: Abstract

    • Your abstract should be no more than 250 words and should summarize your entire paper, from literature review to discussion.
  • Principles of Writing in the Sciences

    • Writing in these disciplines often takes the form of peer-reviewed journal articles, literature reviews, grant proposals, case studies, and lab reports.
    • You may use persuasive language in the abstract, introduction, literature review, discussion of results, and conclusion, but avoid using it when you describe your methods and present your results.
  • Discussion and Conclusion

    • Build on the research question you posed in the introduction, and the context you established in the literature review.
  • Mixing Academic and Colloquial Styles

    • Anna was in the middle of writing the literature review for her anthropology paper when her favorite TV show came on.
    • When Anna went back to writing her literature review, she had a disturbing revelation: "I sound just like the mean doctor!"
    • Anna edited her literature review to give serious consideration to opposing viewpoints, improving it considerably.
  • Making Connections Across Disciplines

    • Common forms of science writing includes lab reports and literature reviews.
  • Writing in Different Academic Disciplines

    • The "humanities," as a discipline, includes not only literature, but also philosophy, ethics, performing arts, fine arts, history, aspects of anthropology and cultural studies, foreign languages, and linguistics.
    • This type of writing is generally concise and includes genres such as lab reports and reviews of scientific literature.
  • Assembling Your Argument

    • 3) Analyze your object and gather evidence to support your claims: find places in the text of your object that support your argument. 4) Do research: review literature that concerns your object and the elements of your argument.
    • Look for positions that both agree and disagree with your argument. 5) Synthesize your reading of the object with the findings of your research: construct your argument by moving between the text of the object and the text of literature you viewed while researching.
  • Explaining the Stakes and the Consequences

    • or any other kind of literature?
    • Seek out connections to larger issues that might be represented in scholarly literature.
    • Some reviewers have categorized the book's form and style as "post-postmodern."
    • Given this information, you could look for: scholarly writing about genre in contemporary literature; articles and books that deal with the boundaries between novels and short stories; writing about postmodern literature; and accounts of postmodernism's legacy and successors.
    • If you want to write about her inspirations, you could also look for generalized literature about how television has influenced contemporary fiction.
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  • U.S. History
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