TLS 605 - Qualitative Research Methods in Education

A literature review is a summary of the published work in a field of study. This can be a section of a larger paper or article, or can be the focus of an entire paper. Literature reviews show that you have examined the breadth of knowledge and can justify your thesis or research questions. They are also valuable tools for other researchers who need to find a summary of that field of knowledge.

Unlike an annotated bibliography, which is a list of sources with short descriptions, a literature review synthesizes sources into a summary that has a thesis or statement of purpose - stated or implied - at its core.

This page on the library website offers a clear overview of what a literature review is and how to write one. It guides users through defining a research scope, finding and analyzing sources, and organizing their review effectively. The page also provides helpful links to additional library resources, research guides, and tools to support both undergraduate and graduate students in their literature review process.