Identifying and reviewing the key literature for your assignment

Abstract

Identifying the most relevant, up-to-date and reliable references is a critical stage in the preparation of a whole range of assessments at university, including essays, reports, projects and dissertations, but it is a stage which is often rushed and unsystematic. As Boell and Cecez-Kecmanovic (2014: 257) argue: “The quality and success of scholarly work depends in large measure on the quality of the literature review process.” This chapter is designed to help you improve the quality of your literature search and your written review of the literature, both of which are key elements in undertaking a research project and writing an essay (West et al., 2019). This chapter is organized into the following sections: • The purpose of searching the literature • Making a start • Framing your search • Managing your search • Search tools • Evaluating the literature • Writing the literature review