A literature review looks at key published material (scholarly articles, books, pamphlets, etc.) on a particular issue, area of research, or theory and provides not only a summary of the source, but also a critical evaluation. Each source is summarized, synthesized, and often evaluated. More than a mere summary of the sources, it highlights what is and is not known, identifies controversy surrounding a topic, formulates questions that need further research, linking the known literature to how your research adds to the larger field of study.
A literature review can be part of a larger research project in which the researcher presents a proposal, plan of action, or primary research work (a survey, interviews); or, it can stand alone as an analysis of what the experts say on a given issue or area.
For a quick overview, watch this excellent video: What is a Literature Review? by Steely Libraries NKU.
Remember that the literature review is about identifying patterns of connection in the published research on an issue or question. The following note-taking tool can help you visualize those patterns better. At the same time, this tool will help you translate the research into the terms of your own research project and facilitate your in-text citation when you begin to write. See below and download above.
For more information on how synthesis works in writing a literature review, watch this excellent short video: Synthesis for Literature Reviews by USU Libraries.
