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Related work / literature review / research review, download pdf handout: literature reviews, watch video: literature reviews.
A literature review, research review, or related work section compares, contrasts, synthesizes, and provides introspection about the available knowledge for a given topic or field. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably (as they are here), but while both can refer to a section of a longer work, “literature review” can also describe a stand-alone paper.
When you start writing a literature review, the most straightforward course may be to compile all relevant sources and compare them, perhaps evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. While this is a good place to start, your literature review is incomplete unless it creates something new through these comparisons. Luckily, our resources can help you do this!
With these resources, you’ll learn:
- How to write a literature review that contributes rather than summarizes
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Useful phrases to show agreement and disagreement between sources
Need one-on-one help with your literature review or research article? Schedule an appointment with one of our consultants now!
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A literature review, research review, or related work section compares, contrasts, synthesizes, and provides introspection about the available knowledge for a given topic or field. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably (as they are here), but while both can refer to a section of a longer work, “literature review” can also ...