Compiling a Literature Review

What is a literature review?

A literature review is like an intellectual expedition through the vast landscape of academic research on a subject, much like space explorer, charting out the cosmos. When you first start, you know very little about the topic, but slowly and surely with each resource you read, the picture becomes clearer and soon you see how all the ideas and concepts fit together.  

When you conduct a literature review, you systematically chart the terrain of existing studies on a particular topic in an attempt to understand all the available information. By synthesizing key insights from the literature, you get the lay of the land on you particular subject, equipping you with the knowledge you need to construct compelling arguments and write well-informed papers.

Step 1: Skim the Literature and Define Your Argument

• Start by identifying a relevant topic that piques your curiosity and gets you fired up. 
• Next, read a few websites or articles on the topic and see what questions or opinions naturally pop up in your mind. Write these questions and opinions down because they will be the foundation of your research argument.
• Read over the ideas you’ve jotted down and zero in on the one that most interests you. This will become your argument, but it needs to be clearly defined.

To develop an argument about an issue, you will need to establish a clear position (or stance) on a debatable topic (a topic that has two sides). 

In the field example: 

Let’s say you’re passionate about reducing plastic waste in oceans. You’ve read a few articles that plant an idea in your head: 

“Maybe we could implement a nationwide plastic bottle deposit system, where people receive compensation for recycling plastic bottles, to reduce marine plastic pollution in oceans.”

So, what’s your argument?

From this initial idea, you could take a stance and argue that the only solution to reduce plastic waste in oceans is to incentivize plastic bottle recycling. This statement has a clear position on a debatable topic; from here, it will be your job to support your claim with evidence.

Step 2: Dig Deeper with Research 

• Next, you’ll need to do a deep dive into existing research on your topic. 
• Use academic databases, scientific journals, and reputable environmental organizations to gather information.
• Pay attention to both sides of the argument:
  • Which sources agree with you and provide evidence to support your stance?
  • Which sources offer counterevidence or alternative perspectives on the issue? 

In the field example: 

To support your argument regarding plastic bottle incentives, search for studies on the effectiveness of bottle deposit systems in other countries, statistics on marine plastic pollution, and reports on the environmental impact of single-use plastics.

To see your argument from both sides, present alternatives to your idea: are there other solutions that could be more effective? Your argument will be stronger if you understand the potential counterevidence against your argument.

Step 3: Curate your Sources

• Not all sources are created equal! Select the most relevant, recent, and reliable studies to include in your literature review. 
• Prioritize academic sources like peer-reviewed journal articles and articles from trusted sources over websites.
  • Make sure your sources are recent and credible – pass them all through the CRAAP test to ensure their credibility.
• Aim for a mix of information types, statistics, and specifics on the issue to help make your argument more solid. Be sure to include both the bigger picture and specific, detailed information on the topic. 

In the field example: 

Choose studies from the past 5-10 years that specifically address plastic bottle deposit systems, marine pollution, and consumer behavior related to recycling. Include both supportive and critical viewpoints, as well as broad overviews supported by statistics and specific examples.

Step 4: Summarize Your Sources Like a Pro 

• Now is the time to channel your super summarization skills.
• Create concise summaries of each relevant source, highlighting key points, methodologies, and findings. This will make your life easier when you’re crafting your final literature review.
• For a thorough literature review, aim to have at least 7-10 sources and 3-5 sentences per summary.

In the field example:

You have found a great study providing excellent examples of successful plastic bottle incentives worldwide. Your summary might look like this:

“Deposit refund systems in countries like Norway and Germany have achieved remarkable recycling rates of 97% and 98.4% for plastic bottles. Utilizing reverse vending machines for collection, these systems have led to increased recycling rates and reduced litter. Lithuania saw its collection rate soar from 34% to 92% within two years of implementing DRS.”

Step 5: Curate and Write your Literature Review 

• Organize your selected sources into themes or subtopics. Each of these subtopics will become a paragraph in your literature review.
• Start your literature review with an introduction paragraph providing a broad overview of the topic and clearly stating your argument.
• In each paragraph, explain how each source relates to your argument and highlight its main points. Don’t forget to sprinkle in your own analysis!
• Wrap up your literature review with a conclusion paragraph that ties all the covered themes together.
  • Check out the Comm Hub resource on Writing for Cohesion and Flow to improve the structure of your review.

In the field example: 

Group your sources into categories like “Effectiveness of Bottle Deposit Systems,” “Marine Plastic Pollution Impacts,” and “Consumer Behavior in Recycling.” For each source, briefly describe the study’s methods, findings, and how they support or challenge your argument about implementing a nationwide bottle deposit system.

And that’s it! Take these steps, and you’ll write a cohesive and comprehensive literature review that shares a clear stance on your topic and demonstrates your deep understanding of the topic.