literature review
/ˈlɪtrətʃʊər rɪˈvjuː/
Meaning
A literature review is a comprehensive survey and evaluation of the scholarly sources (books, journals, theses) published on a specific research topic. It demonstrates that the researcher understands the existing academic conversation before starting their own study.
Examples
-
The first chapter of your thesis should focus on a thorough literature review.
The first chapter of your thesis should focus on a thorough literature review.
-
In her literature review, she identified several significant gaps in the current research.
In her literature review, she identified several significant gaps in the current research.
-
Before you begin your experiments, you must complete a comprehensive literature review.
Before you begin your experiments, you must complete a comprehensive literature review.
-
The journal rejected the paper because the literature review failed to mention recent key studies.
The journal rejected the paper because the literature review failed to mention recent key studies.
-
Writing a good literature review requires critical analysis, not just summarizing sources.
Writing a good literature review requires critical analysis, not just summarizing sources.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ I need to read a lot of literatures for my review.
✓ I need to read a lot of literature for my review.
'Literature' in this academic sense is uncountable. Do not make it plural ('literatures') when referring to the body of academic work.
-
✗ I am writing a bibliography review.
✓ I am writing a literature review.
A bibliography is just a list of sources. A 'literature review' is a critical, synthesized discussion of those sources, which is the correct academic term.
Related Expressions
Practice
-
The graduate student spent the entire summer writing the ___ for her dissertation.
💡 The section of a paper summarizing existing research.
Show answer
literature review
-
A critical ___ helps you position your research within the existing academic landscape.
💡 An evaluation of scholarly articles on a topic.
Show answer
literature review