A literature review should:
use academic literature to summarise the key issues (themes) in the topic you are investiagting
use academic literature to answer the question(s) you have about your topic
use academic literature to assess the research that has already been done on your topic
all of the above
For the purposes of a literature review, being “in conversation with” existing academic literature means:
e-mailing the authors of the studies you read to see what they think about your topic
describing their views and arguments, comparing it with others and highlighting any weaknesses in what they are saying
What does being critical in a literature review mean?
Saying that I personally disagree with the literature. There is no need to explain why or providing evidence.
Contrasting one view point in the literature with another view point to show where there is disagreement
Challenging key points with evidence in the form of data or other literature that suggest that the point might be wrong (eg. 'most young people use smartphones' could be challenged with data to show which young people do not)
Challenging assumptions that literature makes (eg. 'technology improves learning' could be challenged for being a deterministic viewpoint, as it suggests technology has a positive and direct impact on learning in all situations.)
There does not seem to be enough literature on you chosen topic (eg. children's use of online virtual words). What should you do?
Choose a new topic
Broaden your topic
Discuss it with a tutor
Think carefully about your search terms and the words you are putting into Discover. Are they the right ones?
In a literature review you should:
List each author in turn and explain what they said before moving onto the next
Read your literature, group the ideas into three or four subthemes and then write these into paragraphs
In a 1,500 literature review there should be approximately:
10 to 15 academic references
50-60 academic references
Most academic journal articles have a literature review section
No, academic journal articles do not need these.
Yes, they are usually near the start after the abstract and introduction and before the methodology section.
One more time and just to be sure, a literature review is:
A description of a random selection of work in the subject area.
A list of books with a short commentary on each; this is an annotated bibliography.
A place for your opinions. I think ... I believe ...
A review of the current state of knowledge in the specific subject.
