What is a Literature Review?
A literature review summarizes and synthesizes the published scholarly research on a research topic or question.
What is a Literature Review FOR?
A literature review is for the reader of a researcher's paper or project. It is intended to present for the reader a summary and synthesis of the existing literature showing connections across writings, and identifying strengths, weaknesses, trends, and missing conversations in the research landscape. A literature review goes beyond the basics of a description or summary of the literature the researcher has read. It should address different facets of a topic or topics from the chosen literature relevant to their specific research question.
A literature review assignment, or the requirement to include a literature review component with a research project (paper or article, film, podcast, poster session, etc.) is the researcher's opportunity to demonstrate for their audience a comprehensive knowledge of their area of study and/or the knowledge of how their research topic fits into the larger context of existing scholarly work, in the discipline or more narrowlhy, on the topic being covered.
What does a Literature Review consist of?
A literature review is most commonly written in the form of an academic paper, with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Such a review may be a standalone assignment (in other words, it can be an academic paper); but it may also be the first part of a larger work, or it may be a single component of a smaller project.
Who is 'The Researcher'?
You. You are the researcher.