Literature Reviews

Abstract

As the epigraph suggests, the literature review may be considered a rite of passage (and some times a road block) in the career of the professional researcher. The literature review is the foundation of any research project and an essential component of any professional research endeavor. A comprehensive review of the literature should be performed at the earliest stage of any research project as it simultaneously grounds a project within a specific historical context, positions the researcher within a given theoretical landscape, establishes the relevance of the proposed study, and is a key determinant of the subsequent research methodology. Yet, performing an effective review and “writing it up” are difficult tasks that require the development and maintenance of specific skill sets over time. In this chapter, the process of writing the literature review will be discussed in general terms, as will the intended audience of the literature review. Finally, the chapter will differentiate the scale, scope, and purpose of the “lit review” insofar as it may be written for various audiences.