LITERATURE REVIEW

A literature review is a critical analysis of a

published body of knowledge about a
specific topic.
It mentions various research studies and
texts about the chosen topic, compares those
chosen works, analyzes their relationship.
This review can be used for various purposes
and may be written as a simple standalone paper or a self-contained unit in itself.
However, it is usually written to provide a
rationale about a topic and is a required part
of a research study, thesis, or dissertation.
It may vary in length and format, depending on
its purpose and discipline.

back

Research
Is a careful and detailed study into a
specific problem, concern, or issue using
the scientific method. This is best
accomplished by turning the issue into a
question, with the intent of the research
to answer the question.
Research can be about anything.

back

Thesis
A piece of writing involving oiginal
study of a subject especially for a
college or unversity degree: a
masters thesis

back

Dissertation
a long essay on a particular subject,
especially one written as a
requirement for the Doctor of
Philosophy degree.

 It is not just an annotated

bibliography that briefly summarizes
the chosen articles and texts being
reviewed.
It goes beyond summarizing.
It must involve a thorough
examination and evaluation, and
should be written in a such a way
that it will support the chosen topics
conceptual framework or hypothesis.

As you work on
your literature
review, you
generally have
to follow these

Choosing Sources and Citing

Sources Properly
With the world wide access to countless
research studies, journals, articles, books, and
other types of literature through technological
advances, just typing key words into Google,
hundreds of web pages about your topic would
appear in just mere amount of seconds.
However, not all sources are as credible and
relevant as we think theyd be. Therefore, we
should know and learn how to filter out
effectively those sources to get effective and
credible information in regards to our topic or
issue.

Sources
Not Credible

Wikipedia
Wikihow
Unverified blogs
Tabliod
Gossip Magazines

Credible
Books
Periodicals
Investigatory Projects
Research Studies
Encyclopedia
Academic Theses
Dissertations
Credible News Papers

As you write your literature

review, you may need to
follow a certain style of
citation, depending on
your discipline. Two of the
most commonly used
citations are the Modern
Language Association
(MLA) and the American

back

MLA FORMAT

APA
FORMAT
RUNNING
HEAD: TITLE

Title, name,
institutional
affiliation;
doublespaced, Times
New Roman, 12
font size

back
PAGE
NUMBER

GO TO

RUNNING
HEAD: TITLE

I inch margin
(all sides);
doublespaced, Times
New Roman, 12
font size

Page number

In-text Citations
MLA FORMAT
For in-text citation, the authors last
name and the page number from
which the paraphrase or quotation is
taken should be cited in your text.

Example #1
The rising argument for same-sex
marriage basically rests upon the
norm of formal equality that the
state ought to accord the same legal
options for committed same-sex
couples now enjoy, including the
rights and duties in civil marriage
(Eskridge & Spedale, 13).

Example #2
According to Sigmund Freud,
fairytales expose and even fulfill our
unconscious desires, fears, and
fantasies. (3)

 For multiple authors, include the

surnames of the authors in the
parenthetical citation of text.
Example #1:
According to the authors, tighter gun
control in the United States erodes
Second American Rights (Smith, Yang,
and Moore 76).
Example #2:
Smith, Yang, and Moore argue that
tougher gun control is not needed in the
United States. (76)

 However, for sources with four or

more authors, you may simplify your
citation.
Example #1:
Legal experts oppose Smith, Yang,
and Moores argument by noting that
the current spike gun violence in
America compels law makers to
adjust gun laws (Jones et al. 4)

 When the author is unknown, use a

shortened title of the work instead of
the authors surname.
Example #1:
We see so many global warming
hotspots in North America likely
because this region has more
readily accessible climatic data and
more comprehensive programs to
monitor and study environmental
change. (Impact of Global
Warming6)

In-text Citations
APA FORMAT
Using in-text citations and paraphrasing
sources in the APA Style of Citation is
almost the same with the MLA. Unlike
in the MLA, however, you must also
include the date when your source was
published. It is also encouraged (but
not requires) that you include the page
number from which idea was lifted.

 Example #1
Children and students are the most
at-risk group to develop an
addiction to computers because
access to this technology is made
possible day and night via
cellphones, iPads, computers, and
laptops in their own households.
(Young, 2004)