Literature review section of research paper

Literature review section of research paper appears in the first part of a dissertation or thesis. It follows the introduction to the topic of writing and has the vital task of anchoring the findings of the new reworking with the collective work done in the past on the same or similar subject.


Any systematic investigation of an academic nature is rooted to work done in the field earlier. In reality, each new work springs from all work that has gone before and develops new avenues of thought and investigation. This body of text brings together the body of all the insights that are available prior to going on to make a new evaluation on a different line or an extension of one of the lines followed earlier.


The purpose of undertaking such a task is to bring the reader abreast with past opinions and simultaneously to give a concrete basis on which to build a new view. The task is best accomplished when there is a logic flow of the ideas that are presented and the references are properly given for further consultation and authentication. In addition to these qualities the view that is presented in this section needs to be unbiased. Basically this means that the body of references must be presented in orderly fashion with as little adverse or supportive comment as possible.


Literature review section of research paper , since it recounts the published thoughts on a topic, enlarges a researcher’s knowledge. Along with this it has the added advantage of enhancing information seeking and critical appraisal skills. To be successful, it must be directly related to he topic under consideration; make a summary of what is known and the areas that remain unexplored in the field; identify the areas that are controversial; and help in formulating questions that require to be addressed.