# The Sheridan Libraries

**Source**: https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/integrate
**Parent**: https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review

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# Write a Literature Review

Take a step-by-step approach to writing a lit review.

- [START HERE](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/c.php?g=388754&p=8804148)
- [Evaluate
  *This link opens in a new window*](http://guides.library.jhu.edu/evaluate)
- [Summarize](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/summarize)
- [Synthesize](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/synthesize)
- [Integrate](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/integrate)

## Tip

Not every source you found should be included in your annotated bibliography or lit review. Only include the most relevant and most important sources.

## BOOKS (sorted by title)

- [Conducting Research Literature Reviews](https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/discovery/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=01JHU_INST:JHU&docid=alma991036153199707861)

  Also available at SAIS
- [Designing and Managing a Research Project](https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/discovery/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=01JHU_INST:JHU&docid=alma991038156809707861)

  Call Number: MSE B Level HD30.4 .P65 2011 c. 1
- [Health Sciences Literature Review Made Easy (EBOOK)

  by

  Judith Garrard](https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/discovery/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=01JHU_INST:JHU&docid=alma991008019629707861)

  ISBN: 9781449694906

  Publication Date: 2013

  Covered at the most basic level are the fundamental principles of searching, organizing, reviewing, and synthesizing. Woven throughout the text are visual examples and a single case study.
- [How to Perform a Systematic Literature Review (EBOOK)

  by

  Edward Purssell; Niall Mc Crae](https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/discovery/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=01JHU_INST:JHU&docid=alma991034346679707861)

  ISBN: 9783030496715

  Publication Date: 2020

  The systematic review is a rigorous method of collating and synthesizing evidence from multiple studies. Practical guidance is provided on the fundamentals of systematic reviewing and also on advanced techniques such as meta-analysis. Examples are given in each chapter. The authors advise some freely available or inexpensive open source/access resources (such as PubMed, R, and Zotero) to help students how to perform a systemic review.
- [Research Proposals: a Practical Guide (EBOOK)

  by

  Martyn Denscombe](https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/discovery/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=01JHU_INST:JHU&docid=alma991030146579707861)

  ISBN: 9780335244065

  Publication Date: 2012
- [Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences](https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/discovery/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=01JHU_INST:JHU&docid=alma991031085999707861)

  Call Number: MSE B Level H62.P457 2006 c. 1
- [Systematic Reviews in Educational Research

  by

  Olaf Zawacki-Richter (Editor); Michael Kerres (Editor); Svenja Bedenlier (Editor); Melissa Bond (Editor); Katja Buntins (Editor)](https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/discovery/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=01JHU_INST:JHU&docid=alma991034783499707861)

  Call Number: Online

  ISBN: 9783658276010

  Publication Date: 2020

  An open access edited volume that describes and discusses the systematic review method in its application to research in education.
- [Writing the Literature Review (EBOOK)

  by

  Sara Efrat Efron; Ruth Ravid](https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/discovery/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=01JHU_INST:JHU&docid=alma991023203039707861)

  ISBN: 9781462536917

  Publication Date: 2018

  Each step of searching for, evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing prior studies is clearly explained and accompanied by user-friendly suggestions, organizational tips, and examples. Also featured are excerpts from peer-reviewed quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods articles. It focuses on crafting different types of reviews (e.g., systematic; traditional-narrative), and highlights distinct characteristics of each type.

## Organizing Your Review

Your lit review should not be a summary and evaluation of each article, one after the other.  Your sources must be integrated together to create a narrative on your topic.  Consider the following ways to organize your review:

- By themes, variables, issues.
- By varying perspectives regarding a topic of controversy.
- Chronologically, to show how the topic and research have developed over time.

### Main Components of a Literature Review

1. #### Introduction

   1. Describe the topic and provide a basic definition.
   2. Parameters of the topic. (What does the topic include and exclude?)
   3. Why did you select the literature you did?
2. #### Body

   1. Historical background.
   2. Definitions in use.
   3. Mainstream ideas vs. alternative theoretical or ideological views.
   4. Principle questions being asked.
   5. Current research studies and discoveries.
   6. Methodologies.
   7. General conclusions.
3. #### Conclusion

   1. Summary of agreements and disagreements from the literature.
   2. General conclusions.
   3. How does your thesis fit in?

- [<< **Previous:** Synthesize](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/synthesize)