How can you establish your own perspective when reviewing literature?

1 Clarify your research question

Before you start reviewing literature, you need to have a clear and focused research question that guides your search and evaluation of sources. Your research question should reflect your interest, curiosity, and purpose for conducting the research, as well as the gap or problem that you want to address in the literature. A well-defined research question will help you narrow down your scope, select relevant and credible sources, and avoid being overwhelmed by the amount of information available.

2 Identify your theoretical framework

A theoretical framework is a set of concepts, assumptions, and principles that inform your approach to the topic and the literature. It helps you explain, interpret, and critique the existing research, as well as position your own research within the field. Your theoretical framework can be derived from a specific theory, model, or perspective that is relevant to your research question, or it can be a combination of different theories that you synthesize or adapt to suit your needs. You should make your theoretical framework explicit and justify how it shapes your literature review.

3 Compare and contrast different sources

One of the main tasks of a literature review is to compare and contrast different sources and their arguments, methods, findings, and implications. This will help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of each source, as well as the similarities and differences among them. You should also evaluate how each source relates to your research question and theoretical framework, and how it supports or challenges your own perspective. You can use various techniques to compare and contrast sources, such as tables, matrices, maps, or diagrams.

4 Synthesize and integrate the literature

Synthesizing and integrating the literature means creating a coherent and meaningful whole out of the various sources that you have reviewed. It involves identifying the main themes, patterns, trends, and gaps in the literature, and organizing them into a logical and structured narrative that answers your research question. You should also integrate your own perspective into the synthesis, by highlighting your contribution, argument, or hypothesis, and showing how it adds value or novelty to the existing research.

5 Acknowledge the limitations and uncertainties

A literature review is not a definitive or comprehensive account of the topic, but a selective and interpretive analysis of the available research. Therefore, you should acknowledge the limitations and uncertainties that affect your literature review, such as the scope, quality, and availability of sources, the biases and assumptions of the authors, the gaps and inconsistencies in the literature, and the challenges and controversies in the field. You should also reflect on how these limitations and uncertainties influence your own perspective and research.

6 Use appropriate language and style

The language and style of your literature review should reflect your academic writing skills and conventions, as well as your own voice and tone. You should use clear, precise, and formal language that conveys your meaning and purpose effectively. You should also use appropriate citations and references to acknowledge the sources that you have used and to avoid plagiarism. You should also use varied sentence structures, transitions, and signposts to create a coherent and cohesive flow of ideas. You should also use your own words and expressions to convey your own perspective and position in the literature.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?