Tips for Writing the Perfect Lit Review

A Lit Review or Literature Review is a list, synopsis, and synthesis (review) of previous research conducted by scholars on any given topic. Lit reviews define the issues surrounding a subject, and let researchers know whether a particular issue has already been studied by someone else.

History
Up until the expansion of the internet into the research sphere researchers had a set methodology. They would find a recent article or book on their topic, and then study the references section to trace that source’s sources, and then go to the new sources and do the same thing. The result would be a kind of family tree, where ideas could be traced back to their original source.

This was useful for highlighting the most influential ideas in a field, especially if not many scholars had worked on that particular topic. However, it could miss vital sources if the topics did not quite match up, and often missed the most recent sources.

Today, internet-savvy researchers use online databases to look for sources instead. Some databases are subscriber-only (most famously WebofScience) but this is not necessarily a problem for independent researchers, since there are also public access databases (like Google Scholar, shown in the picture above). Some articles in obscure, paper-only journals are still likely to be missed, but other kinds of research are better catered to. These databases also show research across disciplines, meaning that Lit Reviews written today are more comprehensive and better informed.

The perfect Lit Review
Here are the steps scholars take to write the perfect Lit Review:
1.    Create a list of references based on searching academic databases. Ideally you will want to search more than one of the following: JStor, Google Scholar, Google Books, WebofScience, Scopus, PubMed.
2.    For each item on the list, give a very brief explanation – What is the methodology? What are the sources of information? Note which items seem to be cited the most often by other sources.
3.    Synopsise the most important sources in depth. For a typical 2,000 word Lit Review you will need to study least five sources like this, you may need significantly more for the most popular topics. Consider: What are the main findings of each source? Are they convincing? Have they been influential?
4.    Synthesise the sources by comparing and contrasting them. Think about: Which is the best source and why? How do the sources differ in their approach to the topic?
Sometimes Lit Reviews are published, but more generally they just form backgrounds to longer papers, dissertations and books.

Ready to give it a go? At the Academy for Distance Learning, our Academic Writing module allows you to write a basic Lit Review and turn it into a professional essay. You can write on the topic of your choice from the comfort of your home. The module is just £35 for three lessons and assignments with unlimited online tutor support.

Google Scholar is a great way to create references

LEAVE A REPLY

BLOG CATEGORIES

MOST POPULAR

ADL Success Stories – Dairy Cattle Farming with Annabella Baker

Education opens doors to success windows of opportunity and in at least one case, gates to new possibilities. Such is the case with ADL success story Annabella Baker.  Originally from Italy, but now living in the UK, Annabella faced a tragedy all too familiar to many when she lost her airline job during the Covid

Read More »

Horticulture – Learn the Basics: Three Problems for New Gardeners

Gardens are hard work.  Behind every immaculate lawn and carefully tended flowerbed is a never-ending struggle between nature and gardener. Of course simply leaving the garden to its own devices isn’t really an option; Untended, plants will grow freely for the whole of spring and summer and even into autumn. Worse yet, an uncared for

Read More »

Henry Hoover’s Broken Plug

Some stories of educational achievement soar into the heavens.  Of individuals who through hard work and toil overcame the challenges in their life to achieve. Certainly, at ADL we’ve seen and helped many individuals achieve their dreams through completing a course which helped them get a place at university or begin a new career. This,

Read More »

King Charles and the Grey Goo

If you’ve been in the UK over the past weekend you might have noticed you had a day off on Monday (or looked on enviously as other people had a day off).  The coronation of a new monarch in Charles the Third means a new era. One that the Monarch is especially keen does not

Read More »

Could You Be a Personal Trainer?

If you’re looking for a side business or career that combines a love for fitness and a mentoring role. personal training might be for you Personal training is at it’s heart all about being able to help people live healthier, happier lives.  By combining physical exercise with essential lifestyle changes like diet they help their

Read More »

SIGNUP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Scroll to Top

REQUEST A CALLBACK

To speak to one of our course advisors, please enter your name and phone number below and click the "Please Call Me" button. We will call you back as soon as possible!

By submitting this form, I provide my consent to ADL to contact me via email or telephone, regarding the course I selected. All information provided is protected in conformity with our Privacy Policy.

CONTACT US

required fields are marked with *

By submitting this form, I provide my consent to ADL to contact me via email or telephone, regarding the course I selected. All information provided is protected in conformity with our Privacy Policy.