If you have wondered how to write a literature review and looking for a literature review format, or literature review structure, you are at the right place.

So, let’s start by looking at what is a literature review.

Literature review, a research article that surveys, summarizes, and synthesizes the existing knowledge on a particular topic, is like a journey into the heart of the field of study. It provides a roadmap of the current state of knowledge, highlighting the significant landmarks along the way. Imagine having a tour guide who knows the ins and outs of a subject and can point out the important findings, gaps, and potential directions for future research. That’s what a literature review does.

But it’s not just a dry and dusty tour of the literature. Instead, a good literature review is a dynamic and engaging exploration that draws the reader into the topic, showcasing the exciting and insightful work that has been done and sparking new ideas and questions. Think of it as a treasure hunt where the researcher sifts through the vast ocean of knowledge, digging up precious nuggets of information and piecing them together to create a comprehensive and compelling picture of the field.

So, whether you’re a researcher looking to build a solid foundation of knowledge, a student seeking to understand a complex topic, or just someone who loves to explore and learn, a literature review is the perfect starting point. It’s like opening the door to a world of discovery, where you can dive into the research, engage with the findings, and gain a deeper understanding of the topic at hand. So, buckle up, and get ready for a thrilling journey through the literature!

Why is a literature review one of the best choices for research articles?

A literature review is considered to be the best type of research article for several reasons:

• Provides an overview: Literature reviews provide a comprehensive overview of existing research on a particular topic, making it an ideal starting point for researchers who are new to a particular field.
• Identifies gaps in knowledge: By critically evaluating existing research, literature reviews can identify gaps in knowledge, which can then guide future research efforts.
• Synthesizes information: Literature reviews consolidate information from multiple sources, making it easier to compare and contrast findings and understand the big picture.
• Helps to establish credibility: Literature reviews demonstrate the breadth and depth of research that has been conducted on a topic, which helps establish the credibility of the author and the research.
• Facilitates interdisciplinary research: Literature reviews can help researchers understand how different disciplines approach a particular issue, making it easier to integrate findings from multiple fields.
• Supports evidence-based practice: Literature reviews provide an evidence base for decision-making in fields such as healthcare, education, and social work, where practitioners need to make informed decisions based on the best available evidence.

It’s worth noting that literature reviews are not the only type of research article, and the best type of research article depends on the research question being addressed and the goals of the study. However, for many researchers, a well-conducted literature review can contribute to the field and provide a strong foundation for future research.

What are literature review and its role in forwarding knowledge

A literature review is a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the existing research on a particular topic. It summarizes and synthesizes the results of previous studies and identifies gaps in knowledge, trends, and areas for future research.

Though thousands of researches are being published every year, they often fail to provide clear, concise, and conclusive information on the subject – they often fail to answer some very specific questions.

Thus, the literature review aims to reduce the prevailing confusion around the topic. Therefore, a literature review must focus on a specific and narrow topic. Furthermore, it must try to answer a clearly defined question.

For example, there are more than 10,000 research articles on turmeric, and still, so many questions remain unanswered, like can someone use it in place of commonly available over-the-counter painkillers? If so, how does it compare to drugs? Or one can focus on the long-term safety of the supplement. Here, options are endless, as most numerous questions remain unanswered. But, as an author, you must pick up a narrow question and try to provide a clear answer.

The importance of a literature review lies in its role in the development of science and its ability to inform and guide future research. It helps to establish the context of a research project and provides a foundation for the study. A well-conducted literature review can help researchers to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of a particular topic by synthesizing existing knowledge and identifying gaps in the literature.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of previous studies, which can help to inform the design of future research.
• Establish the credibility of a research project by demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of existing knowledge in the field.
• Avoid duplication of effort by providing a comprehensive overview of existing research, which can help prevent researchers from duplicating work already done.
• Guide future research by identifying areas for further investigation and potential avenues for exploration.

The role of literature reviews in the development of science is significant because they help to build a foundation of knowledge that can inform and guide future research efforts. In addition, by critically evaluating and synthesizing existing knowledge, literature reviews play a key role in advancing our understanding of a particular topic and contributing to the development of science.

Steps involved in writing a literature review

Writing a literature review is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Here are the steps involved in writing a literature review:

• Identify the research question: The first step in writing a literature review is to identify the research question or topic that will guide the review. This question should be specific, well-defined, and relevant to the field of study. This is perhaps the most important step since the value of the research or literature review will depend on the question it tries to answer. So, take time to identify the question that is still not clearly answered yet is relevant to the subject.
• Conduct a comprehensive search: Once the research question has been identified, the next step is to conduct a comprehensive search of the literature. This may involve searching databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar and conducting manual searches of relevant journals and conference proceedings.
• Select relevant articles: After conducting the literature search, the next step is to select the most relevant articles to the research question. This may involve reviewing abstracts, full-text articles, and reference lists to ensure that all relevant literature has been identified. You can use freely available tools like Zotero or Mendeley to keep all your research articles or organize them.
• Read and evaluate the literature: Once the relevant literature has been identified, the next step is to read and critically evaluate the articles. This may involve taking notes, summarizing key findings, and evaluating the quality of the studies.
• Organize the literature: After evaluating the literature, the next step is to organize the information in a logical and coherent manner. This may involve grouping articles by theme, methodology, or research question.
• Write the literature review: The final step in writing a literature review is to write the actual review. This should provide an overview of the existing literature, synthesize the key findings, and identify gaps in knowledge and areas for future research.
• Revise and proofread: After writing the literature review, it is important to revise and proofread the document carefully to ensure that it is clear, well-organized, and free of errors.

It’s important to remember that the process of writing a literature review is iterative and may require multiple revisions. The key to a successful literature review is approaching the process with a clear and well-defined research question, conducting a comprehensive literature search, and critically evaluating and synthesizing the information.

Here are some tools that can help you write a literature review more effectively, and most are available for free!

Structure of a literature review article

The structure of a literature review article or literature review format can vary depending on the goals and objectives of the review and the specific requirements of the target journal or publication. However, many literature review articles follow a similar structure (sometimes called “IMRaD,” which typically includes the following components:

• Introduction: This section provides background information on the topic being reviewed and sets the stage for the review by introducing the research question or objective. The introduction should also provide a brief overview of the structure of the review.
• Methods: This section provides a description of the methods used to conduct the literature search, including the databases searched, keywords used, and inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Results: This section provides a synthesis of the findings from the reviewed literature, organized by themes, methodologies, or research questions. The results section should summarize the key findings of each study and provide a critical evaluation of the quality of the evidence.
• Discussion: This section provides a more in-depth analysis of the findings, drawing on the results of the review to address the research question or objective. The discussion may also include a comparison of findings across studies and an identification of gaps in the literature and areas for future research.
• Conclusion: This section provides a summary of the main findings of the review, highlighting the key contributions of the study and its implications for future research.
• References: This section provides a complete list of the sources cited in the review, formatted according to the target journal’s guidelines or publication.

It’s worth noting that some literature review articles may also include sections such as an abstract, key findings, implications for practice, or limitations of the review. The structure of a literature review can also vary depending on the research question or objective, as well as the field of study. However, most literature review articles typically include the components described above.

Getting your literature review published

Getting your literature review published can be a challenging process, but by following these steps, you can increase your chances of success:

• Choose the right journal: Select a journal that is relevant to your field of study and focuses on publishing literature reviews. Then, review the journal’s submission guidelines and make sure that your literature review meets their requirements.
• Write a strong abstract: Your abstract should provide a clear and concise summary of your literature review’s main findings and contributions. This should be written in a way that will engage the reader and encourage them to read the full article.
• Conduct a thorough literature search: Ensure that your literature review is comprehensive and up-to-date by conducting a thorough search of the literature. Be sure to include relevant articles, even if they do not support your findings.
• Follow the guidelines: Carefully follow the submission guidelines of the journal, including format, style, and length requirements. Make sure that your literature review is well-organized, clear, and concise. Often journals would provide word templates to ensure that your article is formatted correctly.
• Get feedback: Before submitting your literature review, getting feedback from colleagues or peers may be helpful. This can help you to identify and address any weaknesses in your review and improve the overall quality of the paper.
• Be prepared for revisions: The review process can be long and may involve multiple rounds of revisions. Be prepared to receive constructive criticism and be willing to make changes to improve the quality of your literature review.
• Build your credibility: Establish yourself as a knowledgeable expert in your field by publishing articles and participating in conferences and professional organizations. This will increase the visibility of your work and help to build your credibility as a researcher.

Publishing a literature review can be a competitive process, but following these steps and being persistent in your efforts can increase your chances of success.

Promoting your literature review

It is perhaps the most neglected thing in academic writing. Most writers pay little attention to promoting their research articles after publication. However, if you want to raise your profile as a researcher, you must focus on promoting your articles so that it gets read and cited by other researchers.

Here are some ways you can promote your literature review:

• Choose keywords carefully: remember that keywords form the backbone of online visibility. Thus, these keywords must be present or mentioned multiple times in the article. Choose keywords wisely after doing some research, and they should remain the manuscript’s focus.
• Utilize social media: Share your literature review on your personal and professional social media accounts, and engage with your network by asking for feedback and starting discussions about your research.
• Present at conferences: Attend conferences in your field and present your literature review. This will give you the opportunity to share your research with others and receive feedback from experts in your field.
• Collaborate with other researchers: Seek opportunities to collaborate with other researchers in your field, as this can help promote your literature review and increase its visibility.
• Publish in open-access journals: Consider publishing your literature review in an open-access journal, which allows anyone with an internet connection to access and read your research.
• Create a website or blog: Create a website or blog to share your research and promote your literature review. This can be a great way to reach a wider audience and build your personal brand as a researcher.
• Write blog posts or opinion pieces: Write blog posts or opinion pieces that summarize your research and discuss its implications. This can help to reach a wider audience and promote your literature review.
• Reach out to media outlets: Contact local and national media outlets, such as newspapers and magazines, to see if they would be interested in writing about your research.

By promoting your literature review in a variety of ways, you can increase its visibility and reach a wider audience. Just remember that writing is one thing, and getting noticed for your efforts is altogether another thing. Hence, always have a promotional plan for your research article.

To sum up

In conclusion, writing and publishing a literature review can be a challenging process. Still, with careful planning and execution, it can also be a rewarding and impactful contribution to the field of study. To increase the chances of success, it is important to choose the right journal, write a strong abstract, conduct a thorough literature search, follow the submission guidelines, get feedback, be prepared for revisions, and promote the literature review through a variety of channels. By following these steps, researchers can produce high-quality literature reviews that contribute to the development of science and have a lasting impact on their field.

Frequently asked questions

Q. How many words long should the literature view be?

A. Though there is no correct answer to this, and length of a literature review should be sufficient to explain the outcomes adequately. Nonetheless, it should not be less than 2000 words, and perhaps not more than 5000 words, until or unless the topic demands it.

Q. How many studies to include in a literature review?

A. There is no hard and fast rule, and it will depend on the subject. In some cases, there might be very few studies on the topic. Nevertheless, one would need to go through lots of literature to produce background information and justify the literature review.

Q. Do  I need to add citations to all literature review sections?

A. No, not essentially. Generally, you will need to cite the introduction extensively, which provides the study background and results. However, one does not need to add citations to discussion or conclusions essentially, as those are views of the authors to a significant extent. Of course, lots here would depend on the topic.