UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA WGS 498/GSJ 598

Critical Skills (M6)

Literature Review

Writing a literature review is a central component of research-based academic and non-academic writing. Literature reviews are typically required for research papers, theses, dissertations, grant applications, and conference presentations. The primary task is to survey the existing literature on a topic or question, allowing you to identify an innovative topic or approach that builds on and engages with the ongoing debates in your field.

The biggest challenge today is the overwhelming amount of information and research available. Thus, the literature review helps you determine the most relevant and influential literature while keeping in mind your ethics of citation practices, as discussed in a previous module.For a brief general overview, as well as more in-depth resources and a step-by-step guide on writing the literature review, check out this webpage

WATCH

How to write a Literature Review (3:04 mins)

[Please note that the video series mentions google scholar as a good resource for searching for literature. That is true for non-University of Alberta learners. UofA students have access to far superior resources through the university library and library services. This includes guidance by librarians who will support your research needs. For video introductions to library searches and database searches, see this critical skill section.]