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Literature review

This guide will help you to plan your literature review and to adopt a systematic approach to searching the literature.

Training calendar

 

​The Library offers regular training events. Check our  list of events.

Literature search handout

Literature Search: a librarian’s handout to introduce tools, terms and techniques 

A handy guide provided by Elsevier’s Library Connect which covers:

  • Keywords, operators and filters
  • Search tools
  • Types of literature
  • Evaluate information
  • Organize research

Other library guides

A full range of library guides for researchers is available. Browse our library guides BY SUBJECT

See also our Information & Digital Literacy Skills library guide designed for undergraduates 

 

What is a literature review?

"The literature review chapter in the thesis, then, justifies the proposed research by identifying trends or gaps in the literature, and, by a review of relevant studies, demonstrates that you understand the relevant literature and shows how your study will contribute to that body of knowledge."

Burton, Suzan, and Steane, Peter. Surviving Your Thesis. London: Routledge, 2004.

Books at the James Hardiman Library

 

Other books on conducting a literature review  and books on writing a thesis with a chapter on literature reviews are available in the James Hardiman Library - see this selective listing.  

See also a selective listing of books on systematic reviews.

 

The starting point: Plan your search strategy

Try using a search strategy worksheet to identify key concepts in your research question:

  • Write out a clear, detailed statement of your research question.
  • Identify the concepts which your research question includes.
  • List keywords which describe the concepts including synonyms, acronyms, alternative spellings including American spelling and plurals.
  • Identify subject headings which describe the concepts.
  • Develop your search strategy using this Search Strategy Worksheet:

(From program developed by librarians from Ohio universities)

 

Online training

The Research Methods in Literature Review tutorial is available to research postgraduate students on GST1 on Blackboard.

 See screenshot of course highlights below: