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Conducting a Literature Review

Write a Literature Review

A literature review is a form of written discourse that aims to comprehensively summarize the primary discoveries from various studies conducted on a particular subject. It should do so in a manner that weaves these findings together into a coherent narrative. This can be accomplished by structuring the review into sections that present recurring themes or emerging trends. Furthermore, the review may encompass pertinent theories and shed light on areas of contention and unanswered questions. The intention is not to exhaustively cover all available materials on the subject but to summarize, evaluate and synthesize the existing body of work related to your topic. The ultimate objective is to establish the foundation for your own research and discourse.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

  • Focus on distilling essential insights from each source rather than directly quoting them.
  • The review's value to your audience lies in its clear and well-organized overview of what has been discovered so far in your area of interest.
  • It is crucial to avoid plagiarism in your literature review.
  • For more information on writing and avoiding plagiarism, utilize the The Chicago School Office of Student Writing and Learning resources, including options for 1:1 writing review assistance.

eBooks in the Library

The library has a number of books on conducting and writing literature reviews:

eBooks on Conducting Systematic Literature Reviews: