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15 Literature Review Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Literature reviews are a necessary step in a research process and often required when writing your research proposal . They involve gathering, analyzing, and evaluating existing knowledge about a topic in order to find gaps in the literature where future studies will be needed.

Ideally, once you have completed your literature review, you will be able to identify how your research project can build upon and extend existing knowledge in your area of study.

Generally, for my undergraduate research students, I recommend a narrative review, where themes can be generated in order for the students to develop sufficient understanding of the topic so they can build upon the themes using unique methods or novel research questions.

If you’re in the process of writing a literature review, I have developed a literature review template for you to use – it’s a huge time-saver and walks you through how to write a literature review step-by-step:

Get your time-saving templates here to write your own literature review.

Literature Review Examples

For the following types of literature review, I present an explanation and overview of the type, followed by links to some real-life literature reviews on the topics.

1. Narrative Review Examples

Also known as a traditional literature review, the narrative review provides a broad overview of the studies done on a particular topic.

It often includes both qualitative and quantitative studies and may cover a wide range of years.

The narrative review’s purpose is to identify commonalities, gaps, and contradictions in the literature .

I recommend to my students that they should gather their studies together, take notes on each study, then try to group them by themes that form the basis for the review (see my step-by-step instructions at the end of the article).

Example Study

Title: Communication in healthcare: a narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations

Citation: Vermeir, P., Vandijck, D., Degroote, S., Peleman, R., Verhaeghe, R., Mortier, E., … & Vogelaers, D. (2015). Communication in healthcare: a narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations. International journal of clinical practice , 69 (11), 1257-1267.

Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ijcp.12686  

Overview: This narrative review analyzed themes emerging from 69 articles about communication in healthcare contexts. Five key themes were found in the literature: poor communication can lead to various negative outcomes, discontinuity of care, compromise of patient safety, patient dissatisfaction, and inefficient use of resources. After presenting the key themes, the authors recommend that practitioners need to approach healthcare communication in a more structured way, such as by ensuring there is a clear understanding of who is in charge of ensuring effective communication in clinical settings.

Other Examples

• Burnout in United States Healthcare Professionals: A Narrative Review (Reith, 2018) – read here
• Examining the Presence, Consequences, and Reduction of Implicit Bias in Health Care: A Narrative Review (Zestcott, Blair & Stone, 2016) – read here
• A Narrative Review of School-Based Physical Activity for Enhancing Cognition and Learning (Mavilidi et al., 2018) – read here
• A narrative review on burnout experienced by medical students and residents (Dyrbye & Shanafelt, 2015) – read here

2. Systematic Review Examples

This type of literature review is more structured and rigorous than a narrative review. It involves a detailed and comprehensive plan and search strategy derived from a set of specified research questions.

The key way you’d know a systematic review compared to a narrative review is in the methodology: the systematic review will likely have a very clear criteria for how the studies were collected, and clear explanations of exclusion/inclusion criteria. 

The goal is to gather the maximum amount of valid literature on the topic, filter out invalid or low-quality reviews, and minimize bias. Ideally, this will provide more reliable findings, leading to higher-quality conclusions and recommendations for further research.

You may note from the examples below that the ‘method’ sections in systematic reviews tend to be much more explicit, often noting rigid inclusion/exclusion criteria and exact keywords used in searches.

Title: The importance of food naturalness for consumers: Results of a systematic review  

Citation: Roman, S., Sánchez-Siles, L. M., & Siegrist, M. (2017). The importance of food naturalness for consumers: Results of a systematic review. Trends in food science & technology , 67 , 44-57.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092422441730122X  

Overview: This systematic review included 72 studies of food naturalness to explore trends in the literature about its importance for consumers. Keywords used in the data search included: food, naturalness, natural content, and natural ingredients. Studies were included if they examined consumers’ preference for food naturalness and contained empirical data. The authors found that the literature lacks clarity about how naturalness is defined and measured, but also found that food consumption is significantly influenced by perceived naturalness of goods.

• A systematic review of research on online teaching and learning from 2009 to 2018 (Martin, Sun & Westine, 2020) – read here
• Where Is Current Research on Blockchain Technology? (Yli-Huumo et al., 2016) – read here
• Universities—industry collaboration: A systematic review (Ankrah & Al-Tabbaa, 2015) – read here
• Internet of Things Applications: A Systematic Review (Asghari, Rahmani & Javadi, 2019) – read here

3. Meta-analysis

This is a type of systematic review that uses statistical methods to combine and summarize the results of several studies.

Due to its robust methodology, a meta-analysis is often considered the ‘gold standard’ of secondary research , as it provides a more precise estimate of a treatment effect than any individual study contributing to the pooled analysis.

Furthermore, by aggregating data from a range of studies, a meta-analysis can identify patterns, disagreements, or other interesting relationships that may have been hidden in individual studies.

This helps to enhance the generalizability of findings, making the conclusions drawn from a meta-analysis particularly powerful and informative for policy and practice.

Title: Cholesterol and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk: A Meta-Meta-Analysis

Citation: Sáiz-Vazquez, O., Puente-Martínez, A., Ubillos-Landa, S., Pacheco-Bonrostro, J., & Santabárbara, J. (2020). Cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease risk: a meta-meta-analysis. Brain sciences, 10(6), 386.

Source: https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060386  

O verview: This study examines the relationship between cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Researchers conducted a systematic search of meta-analyses and reviewed several databases, collecting 100 primary studies and five meta-analyses to analyze the connection between cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease. They find that the literature compellingly demonstrates that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels significantly influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

• The power of feedback revisited: A meta-analysis of educational feedback research (Wisniewski, Zierer & Hattie, 2020) – read here
• How Much Does Education Improve Intelligence? A Meta-Analysis (Ritchie & Tucker-Drob, 2018) – read here
• A meta-analysis of factors related to recycling (Geiger et al., 2019) – read here
• Stress management interventions for police officers and recruits (Patterson, Chung & Swan, 2014) – read here

Other Types of Reviews

• Scoping Review: This type of review is used to map the key concepts underpinning a research area and the main sources and types of evidence available. It can be undertaken as stand-alone projects in their own right, or as a precursor to a systematic review.
• Rapid Review: This type of review accelerates the systematic review process in order to produce information in a timely manner. This is achieved by simplifying or omitting stages of the systematic review process.
• Integrative Review: This review method is more inclusive than others, allowing for the simultaneous inclusion of experimental and non-experimental research. The goal is to more comprehensively understand a particular phenomenon.
• Critical Review: This is similar to a narrative review but requires a robust understanding of both the subject and the existing literature. In a critical review, the reviewer not only summarizes the existing literature, but also evaluates its strengths and weaknesses. This is common in the social sciences and humanities .
• State-of-the-Art Review: This considers the current level of advancement in a field or topic and makes recommendations for future research directions. This type of review is common in technological and scientific fields but can be applied to any discipline.

How to Write a Narrative Review (Tips for Undergrad Students)

Most undergraduate students conducting a capstone research project will be writing narrative reviews. Below is a five-step process for conducting a simple review of the literature for your project.

• Search for Relevant Literature: Use scholarly databases related to your field of study, provided by your university library, along with appropriate search terms to identify key scholarly articles that have been published on your topic.
• Evaluate and Select Sources: Filter the source list by selecting studies that are directly relevant and of sufficient quality, considering factors like credibility , objectivity, accuracy, and validity.
• Analyze and Synthesize: Review each source and summarize the main arguments  in one paragraph (or more, for postgrad). Keep these summaries in a table.
• Identify Themes: With all studies summarized, group studies that share common themes, such as studies that have similar findings or methodologies.
• Write the Review: Write your review based upon the themes or subtopics you have identified. Give a thorough overview of each theme, integrating source data, and conclude with a summary of the current state of knowledge then suggestions for future research based upon your evaluation of what is lacking in the literature.

Literature reviews don’t have to be as scary as they seem. Yes, they are difficult and require a strong degree of comprehension of academic studies. But it can be feasibly done through following a structured approach to data collection and analysis. With my undergraduate research students (who tend to conduct small-scale qualitative studies ), I encourage them to conduct a narrative literature review whereby they can identify key themes in the literature. Within each theme, students can critique key studies and their strengths and limitations , in order to get a lay of the land and come to a point where they can identify ways to contribute new insights to the existing academic conversation on their topic.

Ankrah, S., & Omar, A. T. (2015). Universities–industry collaboration: A systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 31(3), 387-408.

Asghari, P., Rahmani, A. M., & Javadi, H. H. S. (2019). Internet of Things applications: A systematic review. Computer Networks , 148 , 241-261.

Dyrbye, L., & Shanafelt, T. (2016). A narrative review on burnout experienced by medical students and residents. Medical education , 50 (1), 132-149.

Geiger, J. L., Steg, L., Van Der Werff, E., & Ünal, A. B. (2019). A meta-analysis of factors related to recycling. Journal of environmental psychology , 64 , 78-97.

Martin, F., Sun, T., & Westine, C. D. (2020). A systematic review of research on online teaching and learning from 2009 to 2018. Computers & education , 159 , 104009.

Mavilidi, M. F., Ruiter, M., Schmidt, M., Okely, A. D., Loyens, S., Chandler, P., & Paas, F. (2018). A narrative review of school-based physical activity for enhancing cognition and learning: The importance of relevancy and integration. Frontiers in psychology , 2079.

Patterson, G. T., Chung, I. W., & Swan, P. W. (2014). Stress management interventions for police officers and recruits: A meta-analysis. Journal of experimental criminology , 10 , 487-513.

Reith, T. P. (2018). Burnout in United States healthcare professionals: a narrative review. Cureus , 10 (12).

Ritchie, S. J., & Tucker-Drob, E. M. (2018). How much does education improve intelligence? A meta-analysis. Psychological science , 29 (8), 1358-1369.

Roman, S., Sánchez-Siles, L. M., & Siegrist, M. (2017). The importance of food naturalness for consumers: Results of a systematic review. Trends in food science & technology , 67 , 44-57.

Sáiz-Vazquez, O., Puente-Martínez, A., Ubillos-Landa, S., Pacheco-Bonrostro, J., & Santabárbara, J. (2020). Cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease risk: a meta-meta-analysis. Brain sciences, 10(6), 386.

Vermeir, P., Vandijck, D., Degroote, S., Peleman, R., Verhaeghe, R., Mortier, E., … & Vogelaers, D. (2015). Communication in healthcare: a narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations. International journal of clinical practice , 69 (11), 1257-1267.

Wisniewski, B., Zierer, K., & Hattie, J. (2020). The power of feedback revisited: A meta-analysis of educational feedback research. Frontiers in Psychology , 10 , 3087.

Yli-Huumo, J., Ko, D., Choi, S., Park, S., & Smolander, K. (2016). Where is current research on blockchain technology?—a systematic review. PloS one , 11 (10), e0163477.

Zestcott, C. A., Blair, I. V., & Stone, J. (2016). Examining the presence, consequences, and reduction of implicit bias in health care: a narrative review. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations , 19 (4), 528-542

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Top 20 Literature Review Examples

Struggling with writing a literature review? Our guide provides multiple examples of literature reviews across different fields to help you understand the structure and nuances of this crucial component of research.

If you’re new to academic writing, you may find the idea of writing a literature review daunting. A literature review is a critical component of most research papers, theses, and dissertations. It involves summarizing, analyzing, and synthesizing existing research to provide a foundation for your own work. To help you understand this process better, we've compiled multiple examples of literature reviews from different fields and contexts. This guide will not only show you what a literature review looks like but will also provide tips for writing your own.

What Is a Literature Review?

A literature review is a comprehensive overview of the existing research on a particular topic. It typically surveys scholarly articles, books, and other credible sources to identify gaps, trends, and key arguments in the field. The purpose of a literature review is to demonstrate your understanding of the topic and to position your own research within the context of existing scholarship. Unlike a simple summary, a literature review provides critical analysis, demonstrates relationships between works, and often identifies areas for future research.

A good literature review not only synthesizes current research but also provides a critical framework that justifies the necessity of your research project. It’s about engaging deeply with the literature to show that you understand the complexities and nuances of your field. This engagement helps lay a solid foundation for your research objectives, creating a context that supports your hypothesis or research questions.

Why Are Literature Reviews Important?

Literature reviews are crucial because they provide context for your own research, showing where it fits within the existing body of knowledge. They help identify what has already been discovered, what questions remain unanswered, and how your research can contribute to the field. By synthesizing previous work, you lay the groundwork for the originality and significance of your own study.

Moreover, a literature review helps to establish credibility. It demonstrates that you are well-versed in the relevant literature and that you are capable of understanding and analyzing existing research critically. This is particularly important for convincing your audience—whether they are your professors, peers, or other researchers—of the validity and value of your work. A well-constructed literature review highlights your scholarly diligence and sets the stage for your contribution to the ongoing academic conversation.

Example 1: Literature Review in Psychology

Consider a literature review for a research paper on the impact of mindfulness on reducing anxiety. In this example, the author starts by summarizing foundational research on mindfulness practices, citing key studies that show how mindfulness reduces stress. Then, they move on to analyze recent findings that specifically target anxiety disorders. The author identifies a gap in the research: while there are numerous studies on general stress reduction, fewer studies focus on mindfulness and its impact on different types of anxiety. This literature review effectively highlights both well-established findings and areas where further research is needed.

The author also categorizes the literature into themes—mindfulness as a general wellness practice versus mindfulness targeted specifically at clinical anxiety. This thematic organization helps readers quickly understand the nuances between different applications of mindfulness. Furthermore, the author discusses methodological differences between studies, such as sample size and duration of mindfulness interventions, which adds depth to the analysis and provides a more rounded understanding of the current research landscape.

Example 2: Literature Review in Business Management

A literature review in business management might focus on leadership styles and their impact on employee productivity. The author begins by outlining different leadership theories such as transformational, transactional, and servant leadership. The review then examines existing studies that link these leadership styles to employee satisfaction and productivity metrics. A critical analysis is provided, suggesting that while transformational leadership is often associated with high productivity, there is still debate about its effectiveness across different cultural contexts. The author uses this debate as a basis for proposing their own research question, which seeks to explore the relationship between leadership styles and employee productivity in non-Western countries.

In addition, the author includes a subsection on leadership styles in the digital age, discussing how virtual teams and remote work environments challenge traditional leadership paradigms. This perspective helps highlight the evolving nature of leadership and adds an extra layer of relevance by connecting classical leadership theories to modern organizational challenges. The author also identifies inconsistencies in the literature, such as conflicting findings regarding which style is most effective in high-stress environments, thus setting up the importance of further research.

Example 3: Literature Review in Medicine

For a literature review in the field of medicine, let’s look at a study focused on the effectiveness of telemedicine in rural healthcare settings. The author summarizes existing literature on telemedicine, including studies that highlight its benefits—such as increased access to healthcare and cost efficiency. The review also presents findings that discuss the challenges of telemedicine, such as technology barriers and privacy concerns. The author synthesizes these perspectives to demonstrate that while telemedicine offers promise for rural healthcare, further studies are needed to understand its long-term impact on patient outcomes. This literature review is structured to identify both the strengths and challenges in current research, setting the stage for further exploration.

Additionally, the author discusses the role of policy and government initiatives in supporting telemedicine, providing context on how regulations affect the adoption and efficacy of telemedicine practices. By incorporating this broader socio-political context, the author adds depth to the analysis, emphasizing that the success of telemedicine is not just about technology but also about institutional and regulatory frameworks. The literature review ends with a section on future research directions, suggesting that longitudinal studies are necessary to assess patient outcomes over extended periods, which is a critical gap identified in the current body of research.

Example 4: Literature Review in Education

In an education-based literature review, the focus might be on the impact of technology in the classroom. The author starts by covering historical perspectives on educational technology, then moves on to discuss the evolution of tools like smartboards, learning management systems, and tablets. A significant part of the review involves analyzing the effectiveness of these technologies on student learning outcomes. The author contrasts studies that show positive results with those that point out limitations, such as reduced social interaction and technology dependence. By presenting both sides, the author provides a balanced view, ultimately highlighting the need for more nuanced research into the types of technology that contribute most effectively to different learning environments.

The author also categorizes the literature by age groups—examining the impact of technology in early childhood education, primary school, and higher education. This breakdown allows for a more targeted analysis, as the impact of technology can vary significantly depending on the developmental stage of the students. The author also integrates perspectives from educators, students, and parents, providing a comprehensive look at how different stakeholders view educational technology, thereby enriching the analysis and pointing out areas for further inquiry.

Example 5: Literature Review in Environmental Science

A literature review in environmental science might explore the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems. The author begins by summarizing foundational studies on climate change, highlighting the major effects on sea levels and temperature changes. Then, they analyze specific studies focusing on coastal regions, pointing out the increased frequency of extreme weather events and their consequences on marine biodiversity. The author categorizes the studies into subtopics such as coral reef degradation, changes in fish populations, and the socio-economic impacts on coastal communities. The literature review emphasizes the importance of both mitigation and adaptation strategies and calls for more research into localized solutions to climate impacts.

Example 6: Literature Review in Sociology

In sociology, a literature review might examine the relationship between social media use and mental health among teenagers. The author starts by summarizing studies that explore different aspects of social media, including both its positive impacts (e.g., social connectedness) and negative outcomes (e.g., anxiety and depression). The review synthesizes findings by categorizing studies into those that focus on frequency of use, type of content consumed, and peer interactions. The author critically discusses conflicting results—some studies show positive social outcomes, while others link heavy social media use to increased feelings of loneliness. By highlighting these inconsistencies, the author sets up a strong case for their research question, which seeks to clarify under what conditions social media has a positive or negative impact.

Example 7: Literature Review in Political Science

A literature review in political science could focus on the effectiveness of international sanctions. The author starts by discussing the historical context of sanctions, reviewing examples from major international conflicts. The literature is then organized by theme, such as economic sanctions, diplomatic sanctions, and their impact on civilian populations. The author identifies the challenges of measuring the effectiveness of sanctions due to political biases and varying methodologies. The review points out that while sanctions can pressure governments, they often have unintended consequences for ordinary citizens, leading to a discussion on the ethical implications. The author uses this to propose further research into alternative diplomatic tools.

Example 8: Literature Review in Public Health

In public health, a literature review might examine the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns in increasing immunization rates in underserved populations. The author begins by summarizing foundational public health theories related to immunization and community health. They then present studies on specific vaccination campaigns, noting differences in approaches such as door-to-door outreach versus community center initiatives. The review also considers barriers like vaccine misinformation, accessibility issues, and socio-cultural resistance. The author identifies successful strategies, such as involving local community leaders, and suggests areas for further research, including the role of digital platforms in spreading accurate health information.

Example 9: Literature Review in Economics

A literature review in economics might explore the concept of universal basic income (UBI) and its potential impact on poverty alleviation. The author starts by summarizing theoretical frameworks behind UBI, including Keynesian and libertarian perspectives. Then, they evaluate empirical studies from different countries that have piloted UBI programs, such as Finland and Kenya. The review highlights the positive outcomes, such as reduced financial stress and increased entrepreneurship, but also addresses concerns about inflation and work disincentives. The author identifies a gap in the literature regarding the long-term socio-economic effects of UBI and suggests that further longitudinal studies are needed.

Example 10: Literature Review in Engineering

In an engineering context, a literature review might focus on advancements in renewable energy storage solutions. The author reviews various technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and thermal storage. Each section provides an overview of the technology, its current applications, and challenges. The author also compares the efficiency and scalability of each solution, pointing out the trade-offs in terms of cost, safety, and environmental impact. By highlighting the need for improved energy storage to support renewable power grids, the author makes a case for future research into hybrid storage systems that combine the strengths of multiple technologies.

Example 11: Literature Review in Anthropology

A literature review in anthropology might investigate the cultural implications of globalization on indigenous communities. The author begins by reviewing early theories of globalization and their predicted effects on cultural identity. Then, they present specific case studies from various regions, such as the Amazon and Southeast Asia, to illustrate the real-world impact on traditional practices and languages. The review highlights both the resilience of certain communities and the challenges they face, such as loss of land and cultural commodification. The author concludes by calling for more participatory research methods that involve indigenous voices directly.

Example 12: Literature Review in Linguistics

In a linguistics literature review, the focus might be on language acquisition in bilingual children. The author summarizes foundational research in language development theories, such as Chomsky's theory of innate grammar versus behaviorist models. They then present recent studies that examine how bilingual children navigate multiple languages at home and in school settings. The author highlights differences in cognitive development, social factors, and the effects of simultaneous versus sequential bilingualism. This review points out gaps in the research, particularly the need for longitudinal studies to understand long-term academic outcomes for bilingual children.

Example 13: Literature Review in Environmental Policy

A literature review in environmental policy could focus on carbon pricing mechanisms as a tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The author begins by reviewing economic theories related to carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems. They then analyze real-world examples, such as carbon pricing initiatives in the European Union and British Columbia. The review discusses both successes and challenges, including economic impacts on industries and the effectiveness in reducing emissions. The author suggests that future research should explore hybrid models that combine regulatory and market-based approaches to improve policy outcomes.

Example 14: Literature Review in Computer Science

In computer science, a literature review might explore the evolution of machine learning algorithms for natural language processing (NLP). The author starts by summarizing the development of early NLP models, such as rule-based systems, and transitions into modern deep learning approaches. The review categorizes algorithms into supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning methods, analyzing their respective advantages and limitations. The author also addresses ethical concerns regarding biases in language models and calls for more research into fair and transparent AI development practices.

Example 15: Literature Review in Urban Studies

A literature review in urban studies might explore the phenomenon of urban gentrification and its impact on local communities. The author begins by providing a historical overview of gentrification and reviewing early theoretical frameworks, such as rent gap theory. Then, they present case studies from cities like New York, London, and Berlin to highlight the social and economic effects on displaced residents. The author contrasts perspectives that see gentrification as a driver of economic revitalization with those that view it as a source of inequality. The review concludes by identifying a need for more community-centered research to understand the long-term social implications of urban redevelopment.

Example 16: Literature Review in Philosophy

A literature review in philosophy could focus on ethical theories related to artificial intelligence. The author begins by outlining classical ethical frameworks, such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, and discusses how these theories apply to AI. The review then examines contemporary debates, such as the moral implications of autonomous decision-making and the responsibilities of AI developers. By exploring both philosophical arguments and practical considerations, the author highlights gaps in current ethical guidelines and calls for interdisciplinary research to address the unique challenges posed by AI.

Example 17: Literature Review in Criminal Justice

A literature review in criminal justice could focus on the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs for reducing recidivism among offenders. The author begins by presenting an overview of different rehabilitation strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), vocational training, and restorative justice programs. The review categorizes studies by the type of offender, such as juvenile versus adult, and discusses the varying success rates. The author identifies a gap in longitudinal studies examining the long-term success of rehabilitation, proposing future research to explore how these programs impact offenders years after release.

Example 18: Literature Review in Nutrition Science

A literature review in nutrition science might examine the role of plant-based diets in preventing chronic diseases. The author starts by summarizing foundational research on the health benefits of plant-based eating, such as reduced risks of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. The review then discusses recent studies comparing plant-based diets to omnivorous diets in terms of nutrient intake and overall health outcomes. The author highlights methodological variations, such as differences in dietary definitions, and suggests further research into the role of supplementation in plant-based diets to ensure nutritional adequacy.

Example 19: Literature Review in Marketing

A literature review in marketing might explore the impact of influencer endorsements on consumer purchasing behavior. The author begins by reviewing early studies on celebrity endorsements and their influence on brand perception. The review then transitions to modern social media influencers, comparing their effectiveness to that of traditional celebrities. The author categorizes studies based on different factors, such as the type of product, audience demographics, and platform used. The review points out a gap in the literature related to the ethical implications of influencer marketing, suggesting further research into transparency and consumer trust.

Example 20: Literature Review in History

In a history-based literature review, the focus could be on the causes of the Industrial Revolution. The author starts by reviewing various theories, including economic, technological, and cultural explanations. The literature is organized by different schools of thought, such as Marxist interpretations, which emphasize economic factors, versus cultural historians who focus on shifts in societal values. The author also presents case studies from different countries, comparing how the Industrial Revolution unfolded in Britain, France, and Germany. This comparative analysis reveals inconsistencies in existing theories and suggests a need for a more integrated approach to understanding the multiple causes of this transformative period.

Tips for Writing Your Own Literature Review

• Define Your Scope : Clearly define the scope of your literature review. What are you trying to cover, and what are the boundaries of your topic? Be specific to avoid overwhelming yourself with too much material.
• Organize by Theme : Instead of summarizing each source chronologically, group your literature by themes or trends. This helps to create a more cohesive narrative and makes it easier for readers to follow your argument.
• Synthesize, Don’t Summarize : Go beyond simply summarizing the studies—synthesize them by comparing, contrasting, and connecting different sources. Show how the research interacts, where it agrees, and where it diverges.
• Highlight Gaps : Identify areas where more research is needed. This shows your understanding of the field and justifies your own research. Pointing out gaps also demonstrates that your research has a unique contribution to make.
• Use Credible Sources : Always use reputable academic sources, such as peer-reviewed journal articles, books by experts in the field, and official reports. Credible sources strengthen your argument and add validity to your review.
• Be Critical, Not Just Descriptive : A good literature review involves critical analysis. Question methodologies, identify biases, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each study. This critical approach will make your review more engaging and informative.
• Keep It Organized : Use headings and subheadings to keep your literature review well-structured. A well-organized review is easier to follow and helps emphasize the relationships between different pieces of literature.
• Take Notes and Summarize Key Points : During the research phase, make detailed notes and summarize the key findings of each source. This will make it easier to identify connections and gaps in the literature when you start writing.
• Use Direct Quotes Sparingly : While quoting sources can be effective, use direct quotes sparingly. Instead, paraphrase the content and provide your interpretation or analysis. This will make your literature review more original and will better showcase your understanding of the material.
• Incorporate Contrasting Perspectives : Including differing viewpoints makes your literature review more comprehensive. When appropriate, address contrasting theories or studies that challenge your own perspective. Analyzing these opposing views will add depth to your review and demonstrate critical thinking.
• Establish Relationships Between Studies : Highlight connections between studies by showing how one piece of research builds on or refines another. This helps create a storyline for your literature review and illustrates the development of knowledge within your topic.
• Limit Scope Creep : It's easy to get sidetracked while researching. Stay focused on your specific research questions and avoid expanding your scope too broadly. Limiting scope creep ensures that your literature review remains concise and coherent.
• Summarize Each Section : At the end of each major section, provide a brief summary that ties together the points you’ve discussed. This will help to reinforce the main themes and make it easier for readers to follow your overall argument.
• Use Visual Aids Where Applicable : If possible, include tables, charts, or concept maps to organize and summarize key findings visually. This can make your literature review more engaging and help convey complex relationships more clearly.
• Revise and Edit Thoroughly : Writing a literature review is an iterative process. After your first draft, revisit your review to refine the flow, strengthen connections, and improve clarity. Pay attention to consistency in your writing style and ensure that each section logically builds on the previous one.

Final Thoughts

A well-written literature review is more than just a summary of existing work—it’s a critical analysis that provides context for your research and helps position it within the broader academic landscape. By examining these examples and understanding how they are structured, you can gain valuable insights into how to write a literature review that is both informative and engaging. Remember, the key is to create a narrative that ties together different pieces of research while demonstrating your unique contribution to the topic.

Whether you are writing a literature review in psychology, business, medicine, or education, these examples should give you a solid foundation. The more practice you get in analyzing and synthesizing existing research, the better equipped you will be to produce high-quality academic work. Always aim for depth, critical engagement, and clarity, as these elements will make your literature review a strong backbone for your research.

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Literature Review Guide: Examples of Literature Reviews

• What is a Literature Review?
• How to start?
• Picking your research question and searching
• Search strategies and Databases
• How to organise the review
• Examples of Literature Reviews
• Library summary

All good quality journal articles will include a small Literature Review after the Introduction paragraph.  It may not be called a Literature Review but gives you an idea of how one is created in miniature.

Sample Literature Reviews as part of a articles or Theses

• Hackett, G and Melia, D . The hotel as the holiday/stay destination:trends and innovations. Presented at TRIC Conference, Belfast, Ireland- June 2012 and EuroCHRIE Conference

Links to sample Literature Reviews from other libraries

• Sample literature reviews from University of West Florida

Irish Theses

• Phillips, Martin (2015) European airline performance: a data envelopment analysis with extrapolations based on model outputs. Master of Business Studies thesis, Dublin City University.
• The customers’ perception of servicescape’s influence on their behaviours, in the food retail industry : Dublin Business School 2015
• Coughlan, Ray (2015) What was the role of leadership in the transformation of a failing Irish Insurance business. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.
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• Next: Library summary >>
• Last Updated: Sep 6, 2024 3:37 PM
• URL: https://ait.libguides.com/literaturereview

Jessie Ball duPont Library

Literature reviews, examples & tutorials of how to write a literature review.

• Finding Published Literature Reviews
• Need Research Help?

Research Librarian

• An Annotated Literature Review A written literature review with corrections to common mistakes displayed throughout the paper. From Purdue University Online Writing Lab.
• Writing a Review of Literature Discusses what a review of literature is, writing an introduction, body, and conclusion to a literature review. From University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• Literature Review Tutorial Answers to questions such as "What is a Lit Review?" "How do I start?" and "What do I need to succeed?" From American University (Washington, DC)
• Literature Review Tutorial (UCSC) A step-by-step tutorial on writing a literature review from the library of the University of California at Santa Cruz.
• Literature Review Handout (UNC) A quick reference handout on writing a literature review prepared by the Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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• Next: Finding Published Literature Reviews >>
• Last Updated: Aug 15, 2024 6:01 PM
• URL: https://library.sewanee.edu/litreview

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