The Importance of Literature Review
Literature review can be regarded as an epic chapter of insight into the game of research, which comprehensively and meticulously summarises the outstanding contributions of the predecessors, distinguishes the right and wrong research paths, and further reveals the mysteries to be solved. Its significance is to guide the academic community to grasp the research trend, improve the research standard, and demonstrate our profound academic quality and profound wisdom.
Similarities and differences with scientific papers
Literature review aims to bring together multiple viewpoints and is a general overview of the existing viewpoints.
A research paper focuses on the context of the research, references previous literature, and is primarily tasked with stating a central thesis.
Demonstrate the value of a literature review in a straightforward manner
(1) Demonstrate the value of the research topic;
(2) Insight into the current state of the field and its future trends through examples;
(3) To clarify the underlying concepts and theoretical camps related to the topic;
(4) To provide a comprehensive assessment of relevant ongoing research.
A literature review can answer the following questions
(1) The meaning and origin of the research subject;
(2) The process of research design and programme implementation;
(3) Core concepts, theories and perspectives;
(4) Obstacles and controversies;
(5) Difficulties and key agendas involved;
(6) List of important citations;
(7) The basic framework of the discipline and the humanistic perspective;
(8) The impact of such research on the advancement of the discipline.
How to craft a Literature review?
The strategy should not be a mechanical listing of results, but a carefully integrated analysis and orderly progress.
The first chapter should explain the original purpose of writing, explain the background of the study (including current hot topics and the current status of the study), and formulate an outline of the problem.
The main body should analyse the literature in depth according to various ways of thinking (e.g. timeline, research theme or methodological system, etc.), explore the current status of the topic, research journey, standards and unanswered questions, and then reorganise these themes into a new chapter.
The final chapter should briefly and clearly summarise the above discussion and add to the existing literature as necessary.
Note that all citations should be typeset in a standardised form.
