The definition of a literature review is a critical look at what is written on a particular topic by an accredited author. A literature review situates your research focus within the context of the wider community in your field, reports your critical review of the relevant literature; and identifies a gap within that literature that your research will attempt to address. They are important because they seek to summarise the literature that is available on any one topic, prevent one ‘high profile’ piece of information having too much influence and present an analysis of the available literature so that the reader does not have to access each individual research report included in the review (Aveyard & Sharp 2011). There are different types of literature reviews but the most detailed type is often referred to as a systematic review. Systematic reviews were first defined as ‘concise summaries of the best available evidence that address sharply defined clinical questions’ (Mulrow et al 1997). A literature review can be organised in different ways. It may be either descriptive pieces of writing or a critical assessment of literature. The author must keep in mind that even a
The definition of a literature review is a critical look at what is written on a particular topic by an accredited author. A literature review situates your research focus within the context of the wider community in your field, reports your critical review of the relevant literature; and identifies a gap within that literature that your research will attempt to address. They are important because they seek to summarise the literature that is available on any one topic, prevent one ‘high profile’ piece of information having too much influence and present an analysis of the available literature so that the reader does not have to access each individual research report included in the review (Aveyard & Sharp 2011). There are different types of literature reviews but the most detailed type is often referred to as a systematic review. Systematic reviews were first defined as ‘concise summaries of the best available evidence that address sharply defined clinical questions’ (Mulrow et al 1997). A literature review can be organised in different ways. It may be either descriptive pieces of writing or a critical assessment of literature. The author must keep in mind that even a