A literature review is a critical summary and evaluation of existing research on a specific topic. It is an important component of academic writing, as it helps to situate your own research within the larger body of knowledge in your field. The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides guidelines and resources for writing a literature review.
According to the Purdue OWL, a literature review should:
1. Identify and define the topic or research question that the literature review will address.
2. Search for and evaluate existing research on the topic, including scholarly articles, books, and other sources.
3. Analyze and synthesize the findings of the existing research, identifying gaps, inconsistencies, and areas for further study.
4. Present a clear and coherent argument that summarizes and evaluates the existing literature in relation to your research question.
The Purdue OWL also provides tips for writing a literature review, including:
– Organizing the review around key themes or arguments
– Using a critical and analytical approach to evaluate the existing literature
– Providing clear and concise summaries of the key findings of each source
– Citing sources properly and consistently using a specific citation style (such as APA or MLA)
Overall, the Purdue OWL emphasizes the importance of conducting a thorough and systematic literature review to ensure that your own research is well-informed and contributes meaningfully to the existing body of knowledge in your field.