In academic writing, a literature review is more than just a simple listing of relevant research; it is an important part of demonstrating critical thinking, establishing a theoretical foundation, and guiding the direction of your research.
A good literature review provides a solid foundation for your research, and here is a four-step framework for accomplishing this task:
Introduce the Basic Theory
Before diving into the literature, first define the context of your study and the key theories involved. This not only helps the reader understand the starting point of the study, but also establishes the initial theoretical underpinnings of your argument.
For example, ‘ If your research is about the application of information technology, you might start with: ’In the era of information and networks… will be the trend of the future…. will be the trend of the future.‘’ If your research is about the application of information technology, you might start with: ‘In the era of information and networks…’.
Review Previous Literature
An effective literature review involves screening and critically analysing previous research. It is not simply a matter of piling up the literature, but of selectively citing and dialectically analysing how these studies provide a theoretical basis for your thesis. For example, you could point out:
You could point out: ‘Although the impact of the …. model in the field of…. has been much debated, some studies suggest…’ , while others indicate…. Although the …. model in the field of …. field of…. has been much debated, some studies suggest …. , while others indicate….
Identify Research Gaps
Identifying and highlighting areas or gaps in research that have not been touched by previous research. For example, the research may be outdated due to changing times, or some important aspects may not have been explored. This step is critical and provides a basis for positioning your research:
While there is a considerable body of research on… , much less is known about …. While there is a considerable body of research on …. research, much less is known about …. much less is known about
Describe your current research (Research Direction)
Finally, define the content and goals of your research, showing how it builds on the previously identified research gaps. This section should clearly state your research intentions and desired goals:
This study aims to… , provides an overview of… , and discusses the role of …. This study aims to …. , provides an …. , provides an overview of… , and discusses the role of …. the role of
