SPEA V450 Research Design

A literature review discusses the literature published on a particular topic and combines both summary and synthesis. You might create a literature review to:

• demonstrate the ability to find, analyze, and synthesize literature in a specific field
• convey the importance or significance of a research question or topic
• identify what is known or not known about a research question or topic
• provide background or context for a research question or topic

The literature review process includes the following steps (also reflected in the tabs on the left). Some steps may need to be revisited once the research and writing process begins. 

• Literature Search 
• Read & Evaluate
• References & Writing the Review 

Literature Review Examples:

• Journal Article
• Review Article

Literature Review Resources:

Questions? Come to the Business/SPEA Information Commons in-person, via e-mail, or use the chat box in this guide for assistance.

Some of the ideas in this guide were derived from the following sources:

• Literature Review (Oregon State)
• Literature Reviews: An Overview for Graduate Students (North Carolina)
• Public Policy Research at Princeton University: An Introductory Guide