What is the purpose of a literature review?
- Summarize
- Who are the key contributors (how often are they cited) and what did they contribute to the body of knowledge on your topic?
- Synthesize
- Chronological model: show how one author's ideas/findings were enriched by the next author, before another author later extended it, etc.
- Thematic model: synthesize the sources by themes, questions, or problems you are exploring.
- Analyse
- Critically evaluate your sources. Highlight contributions or flaws in the authors' position, methodology, or findings that influenced your research.
- Authorize
- In light of your own research, do you support or oppose the literature you have reviewed? How does your research contribute or connect to what has gone before?