Four steps to plan for a literature review is presented here is common for different kinds of research projects. Literature review is the review of past work done in a particular field. It is basically summary of different author’s work on a common topic. Literature review process is useful in understanding background of the study.
Steps to plan Literature Review are
Define Objective
Study objectives are usually defined by literature review. It acts as the base of study objectives. Past studies results and output draws plan for future studies. Thus, it become important to frame objectives of literature review. The need of the study will define literature review objectives.
Collect Literature review
Use databases of your subject area and other related one to collect data. Databases are good source of finding relevant literature. You will find them in your library. Journals, books, Dissertations and other published sources of your subject area will serve your work.
Organization
When your search goes deep in to studies, you find studies review in different forms. Every author choose his or her own way to present their work. Generally literature review is written in two forms one is chronological and other is thematic.
Chronology – Under chronological order, studies are presented in a chronology from old to present. This method provides you an easy way to place studies according to their year of publication. Chronological method depicts how the subject matter had evolved in its present state.
Thematic- It is another most common method of writing literature review. Under thematic review, a topic or issue is taken as central theme and review is organized around this chosen central theme. Here time progression is not considered important but, the main factors surrounding topic are presented in a story form. Thematic review breaks the line of publication chronology in order to present topic and it’s surrounding in most efficient way.
Literature Review Structure
The literature review should be presented systematically, in a way that it can bind readers and avoid distractions. The general structure of literature review consists of
Introduction- Introduces the topic and its scope. Clearly mentions the components of literature review.
Main Body- Provides detail of the review, the concept and relationship between study variables. Discusses the main findings of the review. Presented either in chronological or thematic form.
Conclusion-Summarizes the literature review presented in terms of output, study aspect, flaws identified and future work needed.
These four steps might help you in writing your literature review systematically and with ease!!