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Scholarly Communication Guide: Reviewing the Literature

This guide provides information on the support services available at the library to help with all stages of your research, from planning your research, to measuring the impact of your research.

Literature Review

A literature review is important because it:

  • Explains the background of research on a topic.
  • Demonstrates why a topic is significant to a subject area.
  • Helps focus your own research questions or problems
  • Discovers relationships between research studies/ideas.
  • Suggests unexplored ideas or populations
  • Identifies major themes, concepts, and researchers on a topic.
  • Tests assumptions; may help counter preconceived ideas and remove unconscious bias.
  • Identifies critical gaps, points of disagreement, or potentially flawed methodology or theoretical approaches.
  • Indicates potential directions for future research.

SAGE Research Project Planner

The UNIZULU  Library subscribes to Sage Research Methods,  a platform designed to support your research process plus hundreds of qualitative and quantitative methods, including interactive tools such as the Methods Map and Project Planner. The Project Planner will  also cover topics like how to review your literature.  Your Faculty librarians can assist you with literature searches on different databases by appointment, via email, or through an instant chat.

 

Reviewing the Literature

A systematic review attempts to collate all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria in order to answer a specific research question. The key characteristics of a systematic review are:

  • a clearly defined question with inclusion and exclusion criteria;
  • a rigorous and systematic search of the literature;
  • two phases of screening (blinded, at least two independent screeners);
  • data extraction and management;
  • analysis and interpretation of results;
  • risk of bias assessment of included studies;
  • and report for publication.

In the academic environment, ethical questions frequently arise around the use of information. This guide provides a conceptual overview and supplementary resources to assist with recognizing and avoiding plagiarism, understanding copyright, and evaluating fair use.

UNIZULU Plagiarism Policy

UNIZULU  Intellectual Property Office

Librarians also conduct training workshops throughout the year. Check the Library events calendar for upcoming trainings. 

Other resources

Recommended Literature