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URP 4120: Urban Design in Europe

This guide has resources for 7th Ed. APA Citation Style as well as resources for writing a literature review for Prof. Garcia's class..

What is a Literature Review?

four puzzle pieces put together

A literature review asks: What do we know - or not know - about this particular issue/ topic/ subject?

You can think of this the part of your paper where you are introducing the topic by explaining what other scholars in your field have written on your topic. Literature reviews synthesize their arguments, theories, and ideas. You are "setting the stage".

The Process

The “literature” represents an on-going scholarly conversation. A literature review “re-views” – looks again – at what others have said, done, found in a particular area.

The “literature” you choose will inform and underpin everything you write, so plan searches carefully.

Search

An effective literature search:

  • reduces time spent looking for information
  • maximizes quality and appropriateness of results
  • helps clarify the scope of your research topic
  • helps define and “refine” the research question(s)
  • helps find data and research methods
  • helps locate a ‘niche’ in the literature
  • helps identify experts/ important works in the field

 

Assess

 

Topic relevance: Is the literature on the same topic as you proposed to study?

Individual and site relevance: Does the literature examine the same individuals and sites you want to study?

If not


  1. Re-search if necessary - revise strategies, select new keywords, change databases, ect.
  2. Re-fine the research question(s)
  3. Re-assess the relevance of the literature
  4. Repeat process if necessary

 

Summarize

Summarize each source to: 

  • Recap the important and most relevant information found in each source 
  • Identify variables 
  • Identify context/ setting 
  • Identify theories 
  • Identify findings

 

Synthesize

Integrate the literature – enter into the on-going scholarly conversation with your own narrative about how these perspectives, findings, conclusions, fit together with one another – and – with your research questions 

  • Identify similarities and differences 
  • Trace the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates 
  • Reflect upon the importance of the body of literature for your research 
  • Evaluate the sources and advise the reader on the most pertinent or relevant.

 

Source: Nita Bryant, Virginia Commonwealth University, November 18, 2013.