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Researching for a Literature Review

What Is a Literature Review?

A literature review is a summary of the research, or scholarship, that has been conducted on a specific topic or area of study.

A literature review is often a part of a scholarly article or research paper, usually placed right after the introduction. It can also be a standalone piece of writing that is published or written as a class assignment.

The purpose of a literature review as a class assignment can be manifold:

  • To help students become familiar with a topic and with scholarship in a field
  • To familiarize students with other researchers working on the topic they are interested in
  • To find gaps in existing scholarship
  • To develop a theoretical framework and methodology as a basis for later research.

Literature reviews should contain an introduction, a body, and a conclusion:

Introduction Identifies the main topic of your research
Body Discusses each source in more detail
Conclusion Makes final connections between sources and explains how the information in the literature is relevant to your topic

When writing a literature review, first consult the parameters outlined in your course assignment and contact your professor for assignment clarification.

For more information on the literature review’s unique format, see the CSU Writing Center’s literature review example. 

Questions about how to format your literature review? Contact a CSU writing specialist.

Helpful Resources:

Brought to you by the CSU Writing Center, this resource is an example of how to format a literature review.