What is a Literature Review?
Why is a Literature Review Important?
When You Will Need One
Different review types serve different purposes. Expand the sections below to learn more.
A general summary and interpretation of the existing literature on a topic, often used to provide background or context. It is not systematic and may be selective.
A structured and comprehensive review that follows a strict method to identify, select and analyse all relevant studies on a specific question. It aims to minimise bias.
Explores the breadth of literature on a broad topic to map key concepts, types of evidence, and gaps in research. It’s less detailed than a systematic review.
A type of systematic review that uses statistical methods to combine results from multiple studies to find overall trends or effects.
Combines findings from qualitative studies to build new interpretations or theories, rather than just summarising them.
Brings together diverse types of research, quantitative and qualitative, to provide a comprehensive understanding of a topic.
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How-To Videos
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Start here What counts as good information? How to find good information