What is an easy way to write a literature review?
What is an easy way to write a literature review?
Blog Article
Writing a literature review can seem overwhelming, but breaking it into structured steps makes it easier. Here’s a simple and effective approach:
1. Define Your Research Topic & Scope
- Identify your main research question or focus.
- Determine keywords and synonyms for searching relevant literature.
- Set a clear timeframe (e.g., studies from the last 5 years).
2. Search & Collect Relevant Sources
- Use academic databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science.
- Look for review papers, journal articles, books, and credible reports.
- Track your sources using tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote.
3. Organize Your Literature
- Group sources based on themes, trends, or methodologies rather than summarizing each paper separately.
- Example categories:
- Historical background
- Current trends
- Gaps in research
- Methodologies used
4. Write the Literature Review (3-Part Structure)
A. Introduction
- Explain the topic’s significance.
- Define the scope (what is included/excluded).
- State the objective (e.g., identifying gaps, comparing methods).
B. Body (Thematic or Chronological)
- Discuss research in a logical sequence (e.g., oldest to newest, or by theme).
- Compare and contrast findings, arguments, and gaps.
- Use transition words to connect studies:
- “Similarly, Smith (2020) found…”
- “In contrast, Lee (2019) argues that…”
C. Conclusion
- Summarize key findings and gaps.
- Highlight how your study will contribute to the field.
5. Cite Your Sources Properly
- Use APA, MLA, or IEEE format as required.
- Check for plagiarism using tools like Turnitin or Grammarly.