Write a Literature Review: for Undergraduates
In this guide:
Literature Reviews
A literature review means finding, reading and summarising the published research relevant to your question, in other words finding out what is already known about your topic. Once you have read and critically reflected upon the relevant literature, you should be able to identify major themes as well as compare and contrast the various perspectives.
The stages of a literature review are to:
- Define your terms
- Use appropriate search strategies
- Select relevant materials
- Group materials in a way that makes sense for the argument you want to make
- Compare, contrast, analyse and synthesize what you’ve read
- Set the context for your research
An undergraduate literature review may be for an essay, research report, annotated bibliography, or a literature assignment. This may require you to find a small selection of literature, for example ten relevant articles.
If you are asked to write a literature review, check on Moodle or with your tutor for instructions. You may be asked to do an annotated bibliography as a first step.
In all cases, follow these general guidelines.
- Think about your key words! Read your course outline. What have you been asked to do? What are you really searching for? Are there alternative words to express this? Develop a search strategy
- A literature search using high-quality, peer-reviewed academic material (journal articles from Library Search, our subject-specific databases, books (use Library Search) and theses ) is the next step in your literature review. It will tell you what is available on your topic.
- Read strategically with these guides to Reading at University from Student Learning,
- Read critically: See Sage Research Methods on "reading critically”, or see Reading critically.
- Evaluate your sources. Source Evaluation Checklist.
- Keep a research diary to record what you’ve done, and collect and correct your references as you go.
- Check Moodle or your Course Outline to make sure you are using the correct referencing style.
Hints
- See the guide Literature reviews for undergraduates.
- You may find Top 10 tips for writing your dissertation literature review helpful.
- This is a very helpful chapter from Doing your undergraduate project/Denis F. Reardon if you feel you need extra guidance.
- See also Writing a Literature Review.
- Thompson Rivers University has a short Literature Review Template
Literature Reviews for Essays and Research reports
Most university courses will require you to write at least one essay or report. Your first step is to look at your lecturer's instructions on Moodle or on your paper outline. The Library has lots of great books on essay writing: go to Library Search, type "essay writing" into the search box and limit to books.
These web pages offer helpful hints:
There is also guidance from Student Learning on Writing scientific reports.
Literature reviews for an Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography is a list of summaries, each prefixed with a full citation in an appropriate referencing style, presented in alphabetical order.
Valuable Resources
These resources provide information on preparing and writing literature reviews for an annotated bibliography:
- How to prepare an annotated bibliography
What is the difference between annotations and abstracts?
- Literature Review: annotated bibliography
- Writing an annotated bibliography
- How to write an annotated bibliography
Hints
- Is this a Descriptive/Summary Annotated Bibliography OR an Evaluative/Critique Annotated Bibliography? Read your assignment instructions carefully
- See also Reading at University (Student Learning)
Literature reviews for a Directed Study, Special topic or Dissertation
Consult your supervisor about your topic.
The literature review often appears near the start of your dissertation, and is a key part of your overall dissertation structure. It is a summary of the current writings in the field you are researching and into which your dissertation will eventually fit (Oxbridge Essays)
Valuable Resources
These resources provide information on preparing and writing literature reviews for a directed study, special topic or dissertation:
- How do I write an Undergraduate or Master's dissertation?
- Top 10 tips for writing your dissertation literature review
- Thomson Rivers University Literature Review template
- Writing a Literature Review
- Your undergraduate dissertation: the essential guide for success
LB2369.W264
- Call Number LB2369
A good general call number for print books on dissertation writing.
- Doing your Undergraduate Project: the Literature Review
If you feel you need extra guidance, this is a great chapter on Doing your Undergraduate Project.
- The best place to find good literature is at the Library! If you need help in locating the right material, talk to the helpful staff at the Information Desk on Level 4 of the Library or your Academic Liaison Librarian.
- EndNote is software that helps you to manage your references.
- NVivo can be used to systematically analyse literature. For more information please see the NVivo download pages and Library tutorials, under Research.
Finding Resources for Literature Reviews
1. Read the instructions on Moodle, your Course Outline or class notes
Then read Find information for assignments
Use High Demand books
Use your Waikato Reading List
2. Think about what you really need to find and your key words
Search strategy - where to look?
Library "How to find" guides
3. Guides
All Library Guides
Guides to searching Library resources
4. Tutorials
Tutorials are offered during each trimester
Attend any Library tutorials arranged by your lecturer
5. Help
Level 4 information desk in the Student Centre - We can help you refine your search
Use Library Chat
6. Library Search
Library Search find books and articles on your topic
Library Search guides
Library Search quick guide
Video Guides
7. Google Scholar
Use Google Scholar to get an overview of what's available.
8. Subject Databases
9. Use the references from articles/books to find more information
References show the sources authors have used for their work, and these will often lead you to other great books and articles.
Use any live links from reference lists in online articles or check Library Search to find if we have access to the books or journal articles.
10. Subject Portals
Subject portals
Your Academic Liaison Librarian can help you find theses, newspaper articles, as well as subject-specific material
- The best place to find good literature is at the Library! If you need help in locating the right material, talk to the helpful staff at the Information Desk on Level 4 of the Library or your Academic Liaison Librarian.
- Make sure you are using good sources of information: See the Evaluating Resources.
- And, most importantly, check your Referencing! Why reference?