1. Analyzing, synthesizing & writing
Literature Review
Analyzing, synthesizing & writing
Adapted from: Cronin, P., Frances, R. & Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review:
A step-by-step approach. British Journal of Nursing, 17(1),

2. Analyzing and synthesizing
Take a first read through the articles collected.
Make an initial classification & group by source. (e.g. primary, secondary, conceptual, anecdotal/opinion)
Adopt a structure on second review:
Preview
Question
Read
summarize

3. Write a short summary of each article:
Key thoughts
Comments
Strengths
weaknesses

4. Writing the review Clear and concise Avoid long & confusing sentences
Paragraph structure
Topic sentence
Organization

5. Introduction Main body Conclusion References Purpose of review
Brief overview of the problem
Outline sources and key search terms
What was found in the literature
Main body
Themes or categories
Chronologically
Theoretical and methodological
Conclusion
Concise summary of findings
Identify gaps in knowledge
References