A literature review summarizes and analyzes available research on a specific topic. Grant and Booth (2009) described this process in the SALSA Framework: Search, AppraisaL, Synthesis, and Analysis. By identifying and analyzing current research, the writer can determine themes, gaps and/or inconsistencies to demonstrate where future research is needed. Results can be demonstrated either chronologically, thematically or conceptually (Cronin, Ryan, & Coughlan, 2008).
Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review: a step-by-step approach. British Journal of Nursing 17(1), 38-43. DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2008.17.1.28059.
Grant, M. J., & Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: An analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies: A typology of reviews, Maria J. Grant & Andrew Booth. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 26(2), 91–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x
1. Formulate your research question
2. Search the literature
3a. Read the selected resources.
3b. Analyzing the selected resources.
4. Write
5. Citing your references properly
Steps adapted from Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review: a step-by-step approach. British Journal of Nursing 17(1), 38-43. DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2008.17.1.28059.
Cornell University Library. (2021). Planning Worksheet for Structured Literature Reviews. Open Science Framework (OSF). https://osf.io/tnfm7/
Toronto Metropolitan University. (nd). Advanced Research Skills: Conducting Literature and Systematic Reviews. https://pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca/graduatereviews/
Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review: a step-by-step approach [Review]. Br J Nurs, 17(1), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2008.17.1.28059
Wakefield, A. (2015, Mar 18). Synthesising the literature as part of a literature review. Nurs Stand, 29(29), 44-51. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.29.29.44.e8957
Lingard, L. (2018, Feb). Writing an effective literature review : Part I: Mapping the gap. Perspect Med Educ, 7(1), 47-49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-017-0401-x
Lingard, L. (2018, Apr). Writing an effective literature review : Part II: Citation technique. Perspect Med Educ, 7(2), 133-135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-018-0407-z
Leite, D. F. B., Padilha, M. A. S., & Cecatti, J. G. (2019). Approaching literature review for academic purposes: The Literature Review Checklist. Clinics (Sao Paulo), 74, e1403. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2019/e1403
Randolph, J. (2009). A Guide to Writing the Dissertation Literature Review Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 14(13). https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.7275/b0az-8t74