7. compiling a literature review

A literature review is a critical and in depth evaluation of previous research. Its purpose is to address a research question, theory or concept. To gather background information needed to understand the topic and to analysis the research found. 

I was intimidated by the two words alone but once I understood what a literature review involved doing it wasn’t as bad as it sounded.

Compiling a literature review involves firstly selecting a review topic. It is important to pick a topic where there is a lot of literature available, for my class assignment my literature review topic was chosen for me which took away the pressure of choosing myself. After selecting the topic the next part is to indentify in a structured way the appropriate and related information needed, this part I found the easiest because it just involved gathering your information. The next part of the process is where you start analysing the literature this part was the most time consuming for me trying to select the right information. After gathering and analysing you begin with the writing of the review; you should show your ability to present findings in a clear and consistent way. In my literature review I tried to stick to the point and not waffle and I kept my sentences short.Your review should conclude with a summary of your findings, basically just tell the reader what the findings of the literature review are.

Finalise your review with a reference list of all your research methods used, I found this part the most difficult bit of the whole review because I couldn’t get my head around referencing properly but be careful because vital marks can be lost if they are done incorrectly. 

I have attached this website to show you how to reference:

http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/harvard_referencing_examples_tcm44-39847.pdf