Research Guides: Comprehensive Literature Review: The Basic Steps

The Basic Steps

Like most research, a literature review isn't precisely linear, but there are general steps to follow.

1) Define the Scope of Your Literature Review

How many sources do you need?
What types of sources do you need?
- Only scholarly articles?
Do you need background sources?
What parameters are appropriate for your topic?
- Time span
- Geographical coverage
- Methodology
- Language(s)
- Discipline(s)
- Major Figure(s)
- Foundational Text(s)

2) Identify and Select Relevant Research

See the Advanced Searching for the Literature Review tab for detailed suggestions. Most importantly, a consultation with the subject librarian can be extremely helpful at this stage. Find your subject librarian contact information here.

3) Organize & Analyze Your Results

There is no one right way to organize your work, but here are some of the strategies:

Use a matrix (spreadsheet)
Literature Review Worksheet
Use to evaluate the contribution of each article to your thesis/question/assertion
Literature Review Worksheet: Filled in
Example of how the sheet might be used

Use the folders and tags in a citation manager, such as Zotero or EndNote Basic.
Use index cards!

4) Write Your Review

Easier said than done, of course, but see the Writing the Literature Review tab for tips. And don't forget the WVU Writing Studio is available for consultation.