1. Review of Related Literature
Marc Kenneth L Marquez, MAEd ELT
Advanced Composition
Philippine Normal University

2. A literature review, according to Dawidowicz (2010), is “an examination of scholarly information and research-based information on a specific topic, with a goal to create a complete, accurate representation of the knowledge and research-based theory available on a topic” (p.5).

3. Fink (2005) succinctly defines a literature review (as cited in Booth, Papaoioannou, & Sulton; 2012) as “a systematic, explicit, and reproducible method for identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing the existing body of completed and recorded work produced by researchers, scholars, and practitioners” (p.5).

4. Lather (1999) emphasizes that a quality literary review (as cited in Rocco, & Bass; 2011) “should not just reflect or replicate previous research and writing on the topic under review, but should lead to a new productive work, and represent knowledge construction on the part of the writer” (pp ).

5. Thus, a literature review is “an objective, thorough summary and critical analysis of the relevant available research and non-research literature on the topic being studied (Hart, 1998). Its goal is to bring the reader up-to-date with current literature on a topic and form the basis for another goal, such as the justification for future research in the area” (Cronin, Ryan, & Coughlan; 2008).

6. Purposes of a Literature Review
It gives readers easy access to research on a particular topic.
It provides an excellent starting point for researchers.
It ensures that researchers do not duplicate a work.
It can provide clues as to where future research is heading.
It highlights key findings.
It identifies inconsistencies, gaps, and contradictions.
It provides a constructive analysis of the methodologies.

7. Two Major Types of Literature Reviews
A ‘stand alone’ literature review is structured much like an academic essay (i.e., containing Introduction, Main Body, and Conclusion).
A section or chapter of a research proposal or report that provides a theoretical context or framework for the research being undertaken (materials are arranged chronologically, by theoretical perspective, from most to least important, or by issue or theme) .

8. Other Types of Literature Reviews
Traditional or narrative review critiques and summarizes a body of literature and draws conclusions about the topic in question.
Systematic review uses a more rigorous and well-defined approach to answer well-focused questions.
Meta-analysis is the process of taking a large body of quantitative findings and conducting statistical analysis in order to integrate those findings and enhance understanding.
Meta-synthesis is the non-statistical technique used to integrate, evaluate and interpret the findings of multiple qualitative research studies.

9. Steps in the Literature Review Process 1. Selecting a review topic. 2
Steps in the Literature Review Process 1. Selecting a review topic. 2. Searching the literature. 3. Defining the types of sources for a review. 4. Summarizing information required in the review. 5. Analyzing and synthesizing the literature. 6. Framing and writing the review.

10. Writing the Introduction
Define or identify the general topic, issue, or area of concern, thus providing an appropriate context for reviewing the literature.
Point out overall trends in what has been published about the topic; or conflicts in theory, methodology, evidence, and conclusions; or gaps in research and scholarship; or a single problem or new perspective of immediate interest.
Establish the writer's reason (point of view) for reviewing the literature; explain the criteria to be used in analyzing and comparing literature and the organization of the review (sequence); and, when necessary, state why certain literature is or is not included (scope).

11. Writing the Body
Group research studies and other types of literature (reviews, theoretical articles, case studies, etc.) according to common denominators such as qualitative versus quantitative approaches, conclusions of authors, specific purpose or objective, chronology, etc.
Summarize individual studies or articles with as much or as little detail as each merits according to its comparative importance in the literature, remembering that space (length) denotes significance.
Provide the reader with strong "umbrella" sentences at beginnings of paragraphs, "signposts" throughout, and brief "so what" summary sentences at intermediate points in the review to aid in understanding comparisons and analyses.

12. Writing the Conclusion
Summarize major contributions of significant studies and articles to the body of knowledge under review, maintaining the focus established in the introduction.
Evaluate the current "state of the art" for the body of knowledge reviewed, pointing out major methodological flaws or gaps in research, inconsistencies in theory and findings, and areas or issues pertinent to future study.
Conclude by providing some insights into the relationship between the central topic of the literature review and a larger area of study such as a discipline, a scientific endeavor, or a profession.

13. Do not just describe; analyze and evaluate.
Literature Review A. Smith (2000) concludes that personal privacy in their living quarters is the most important factor in nursing home residents’ perception of their autonomy. He suggests that the physical environment in the more public spaces of the building did not have much impact on their perceptions. Neither the layout of the building, nor the activities available seem to make muck difference. Jones and Johnstone make the claim that the need to control one’s environment is a fundamental need of life (2001), and suggest that the approach of most institutions, which is to provide total care, may be as bad as no care at all. If people have no choices or think that they have none, they become depressed.
Do not just describe; analyze and evaluate.

14. Use an evaluative approach well signalled by linguistic markers.
Literature Review B After studying residents and staff from two intermediate care facilities in Calgary, Alberta, Smith (2000) came to a conclusion that except for the amount of personal privacy available to residents, the physical environment of these institutions had minimal if any effect on their perceptions of control (autonomy). However, French (1998) and Haroon (2000) found that availability of private areas is not the only aspect of the physical environment that determines residents’ autonomy. Haroon interviewed 115 residents from 32 different nursing homes known to have different levels of autonomy (2000). It was found that…
Use an evaluative approach well signalled by linguistic markers.

15. References
Booth, A., Papaoioannou, D., & Sulton, A. (2012). Systematic approaches to successful
literature review. ECIY, London: Sage Publications.
Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review: A step-by-step
approach. Retrieved from
step-by-step-approach.pdf
Dawidowicz, P. (2010). Literature reviews made easy: A quick guide to success.
Charlotte, NC: Age Publishing.
Learn how to write a review of literature. The writing center: University of Wisconsin- Madison. Retrieved from
Reviewing the literature: A critical review. Academic Skills. The University of Melbourne
Retrieved from
Rocco, T., & Bass, H.J.. (2011). The handbook of scholarly writing and publishing. San Francisco, CA: Wiley Publishers.
Writing a literature review. University of the Fraser Valley. Retrieved from