Writing a Literature Review

Abstract

The processes of searching for literature and appraising evidence critically are well documented. Yet effective ways to report literature reviews, either as pieces of research in their own right or as part of primary research reports, are less easily found. Reviews are often criticised for their lack of coherent construction, of synthesis of key themes and of well argued analysis. More importantly though, reviews are often the Cinderella of research, being less valued than primary research, or dull preludes to research reports.

This article considers the structure and content of a good literature review and calls for a new injection of enthusiasm to reflect the fascination of finding ideas, engaging with others' research and building new theories from the assembled evidence. Publishing a review demands art as well as skill to help readers to make sense of a particular world of evidence and make them want to go and find out more for themselves. The article suggests ways to write better reviews and encourages the writing of more papers based on reviews.