What challenges do writers face when writing a literature review?

2 Organizing information

Another challenge that writers face when writing a literature review is organizing and synthesizing the information from the sources. The writer needs to identify the main themes, patterns, trends, gaps, and controversies in the literature and group the sources accordingly. The writer also needs to compare and contrast the different perspectives, arguments, and evidence presented by the sources and relate them to the research question or hypothesis. The writer should use a clear and consistent system of note-taking, outlining, and referencing to keep track of the sources and their key points.

3 Structuring the review

A third challenge that writers face when writing a literature review is structuring the review in a coherent and logical way. The writer needs to follow the conventions and expectations of the discipline, the audience, and the purpose of the review. The writer should also use appropriate transitions, headings, subheadings, and signposts to guide the reader through the review. The writer should start with an introduction that provides the context, background, and scope of the review, as well as the research question or hypothesis. The writer should then present the main body of the review, organized by themes, categories, or chronological order, depending on the topic and the approach. The writer should end with a conclusion that summarizes the main findings, gaps, and implications of the review and suggests directions for future research.

4 Writing style

A fourth challenge that writers face when writing a literature review is adopting an appropriate writing style that is clear, concise, objective, and critical. The writer needs to use a formal and academic tone that avoids personal opinions, colloquialisms, jargon, and vague expressions. The writer also needs to use precise and accurate language that reflects the nuances and complexities of the literature and avoids generalizations, oversimplifications, and biases. The writer should use paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting to present the information from the sources, while acknowledging and citing the original authors. The writer should also use critical analysis and evaluation to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the sources and their contribution to the research topic.

5 Revising and editing

A final challenge that writers face when writing a literature review is revising and editing the review to ensure its quality, clarity, and accuracy. The writer needs to check the review for any errors, inconsistencies, gaps, or redundancies in the content, structure, style, and format. The writer should also seek feedback from peers, supervisors, or experts to improve the review and address any issues or questions. The writer should use various tools and strategies, such as proofreading, grammar checkers, plagiarism checkers, and guidelines, to polish the review and make it ready for submission or publication.

6 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?