Literature review is a structured analysis of research on a specific topic. It identifies trends, gaps, and key findings, helping to frame new studies within the existing body of knowledge. According to Helen Aveyard, a strong, systematic, critical, and relevant review lays a foundation for high-quality academic work.
Key Principles from Helen Aveyard
Helen Aveyard's approach to literature reviews emphasizes simplicity and structure. Here are the core principles that stand out:
- Systematic Approach
- Aveyard advocates for a step-by-step process that begins with a clear research question.
- Use reliable databases and sources to gather your materials.
- Organize findings into themes for easy analysis.
- Critical Appraisal
- It's not enough to summarize existing studies; critical analysis is crucial.
- Consider the methodologies, findings, and relevance of each study.
- Highlight limitations and inconsistencies where applicable.
- Relevance and Focus
- Ensure that every source directly addresses your research question.
- Avoid veering off-topic or including irrelevant studies.