What do you do if you want to conduct a literature review that is both thorough and efficient?

A literature review is a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on a specific topic or research question. It helps you to identify the current state of knowledge, gaps, controversies, and trends in your field of interest. A literature review can also provide a solid foundation for your own research project, thesis, or dissertation. However, conducting a literature review can be a daunting and time-consuming task, especially if you are not familiar with the relevant sources, methods, and strategies. How can you conduct a literature review that is both thorough and efficient? Here are some tips to help you plan, organize, and execute your literature review.

1 Define your scope and criteria

Before you start searching for literature, you need to define the scope and criteria of your review. This means you need to clarify your research question or topic, the objectives and purpose of your review, the inclusion and exclusion criteria for selecting literature, and the keywords and search terms you will use. Defining your scope and criteria will help you to focus your search, avoid irrelevant or redundant literature, and ensure consistency and transparency in your review process.

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Ian Tan ʰᵉʳⁱᵗᵃᵍᵉ ˢᵗᵒʳʸᵗᵉˡˡᵉʳ

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Have you ever felt you have fallen down a rabbit hole when you do a literature review? One essay extends to the next endlessly, and also aimlessly. Defining the scope is important. In my field of architectural research, periodisation, particular styles, materials, and construction techniques are some of the criteria I use to filter out redundant information. Sometimes, it is also about relating the literature review to the overall research objectives. Ask yourself if the essay brings you closer to meeting your aims (and sparks joy?). If not, you might have to "Marie Kondo" it away from your "to read and analyse" folder. Keep on researching, fellow researcher!

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Arnaldo Rodrigues

Biólogo com mestrado em Ecologia de Agroecossistema (Ecologia Aplicada). na Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz - ESALQ/USP
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A revisão implica em planejar, não vá à “biblioteca” antes de ter clareza do assunto. Os temas são amplos, então parta do princípio de determinar os pontos centrais e como explorá-los. Revisar a literatura implica numa ampla visão de vários autores e contextualizar seus preceitos. Procure conhecer de onde surgiu o tema central e como ele tornou-se importante para uma revisão literária. Uma etapa que não deixo de cumprir: “buscar os autores originais do tema”, a partir deles é possível entender a interpretação dada por outros. Ter um organograma histórico de publicações e verificar se o assunto não foi revisado incessantemente, isso facilita o levantamento inicial e pode garantir que não seja redundante o que é impreciso e ineficiente.

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2 Search for relevant literature

Once you have defined your scope and criteria, you need to search for relevant literature using various sources and databases. You can use online platforms such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, or PubMed to find academic articles, books, reports, and other publications related to your topic. You can also use citation tracking, reference mining, and snowballing techniques to find additional literature from the references of the sources you have already found. You should keep track of your search history, results, and strategies using tools such as spreadsheets, bibliographic software, or online platforms such as Zotero or Mendeley.

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Arnaldo Rodrigues

Biólogo com mestrado em Ecologia de Agroecossistema (Ecologia Aplicada). na Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz - ESALQ/USP
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A revisão é algo que se traduz pela própria designação. Revisar não é juntar retalhos da produção literária, muito menos garimpar referências e citações apenas para dar aparente consistência à sua pesquisa. Isso é coisa de preguiçoso e não de quem pesquisa. Para ter segurança explore os autores e a base bibliográfica na qual eles se basearam, revisar é rever, examinar, conferir, sugerir mudanças ou confirmar ideias. Se não há o conhecimento de autorias relevantes sobre o tema a ser revisado, inicie por artigos científicos, eles possuem referências confiáveis e as citações também estão referenciadas. Lendo o que os autores leram, você aprende muito e inicia um rastreamento com base evidenciadas, isso é seguro e indica qualidade e respeito.

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3 Evaluate and select literature

After you have searched for literature, you need to evaluate and select the literature that meets your scope and criteria. You can use different methods to assess the quality, relevance, and credibility of the literature, such as critical appraisal, peer review, or meta-analysis. You should also check for duplication, bias, or conflicts of interest in the literature. You should only include the literature that contributes to your review objectives and purpose, and exclude the literature that does not. You should also document the reasons for your inclusion and exclusion decisions.

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Arnaldo Rodrigues

Biólogo com mestrado em Ecologia de Agroecossistema (Ecologia Aplicada). na Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz - ESALQ/USP
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Uma boa avaliação literária produz textos pontuais que indicam uma pesquisa consistente. Relate a importância que cada autor pesquisado deu para o assunto que lhe interessa e, por que você está citando ou não um determinado autor, explique isso, justifique. Esse levantamento fará automaticamente você chegar a um ponto comum sobre a qualidade de cada texto usado, tornando-os selecionados por relevância, além de aferir quantitativamente e qualitativamente o pensamento sobre o tema. Transforme esse levantamento em um texto inacabado e solicite a revisão por seus pares. Após, procure criticar sua interpretação sobre os textos usados, com sugestões, se houverem. Limpe o texto para ser um produto que contribua e melhore a discussão sobre o tema.

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4 Analyze and synthesize literature

Once you have selected the literature, you need to analyze and synthesize the literature to identify the main themes, arguments, findings, and gaps in the existing knowledge. You can use different methods to analyze and synthesize the literature, such as narrative synthesis, thematic analysis, meta-analysis, or meta-synthesis. You should also compare and contrast the literature to highlight the similarities and differences, agreements and disagreements, and strengths and weaknesses of the literature. You should also relate the literature to your research question or topic, and explain how it informs or supports your own research project.

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Arnaldo Rodrigues

Biólogo com mestrado em Ecologia de Agroecossistema (Ecologia Aplicada). na Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz - ESALQ/USP
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Sua pesquisa constatará diversos pontos comuns em trabalhos de vários autores, com isso, é mais simples de levantar divergências e justificativas ao que interessa. É importante verificar se as constatações não são apenas referências à mesma observação, o que indica, muitas vezes, a inutilidade do texto. Sua síntese pode discorrer sobre esse subterfúgio nada criativo e repetitivo sobre o assunto. Manifestações que merecem aprofundamento, não precisam ser estendas demasiadamente, seja claro, objetivo, metodológico no esclarecimento sobre as críticas quando elas forem necessárias. Algo bem explicado, didaticamente esclarecido, não precisa ser longo e cansativo. Verifique sempre a conexão da sua pergunta com os argumentos de outros autores.

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5 Organize and structure literature

After you have analyzed and synthesized the literature, you need to organize and structure the literature to present a coherent and logical overview of the existing knowledge. You can use different ways to organize and structure the literature, such as chronological, thematic, methodological, or theoretical. You should also use headings, subheadings, and transitions to guide the reader through your review. You should also include an introduction, a body, and a conclusion in your review. The introduction should provide the background, context, and rationale of your review. The body should present the main themes, arguments, findings, and gaps of the literature. The conclusion should summarize the main points, implications, and limitations of your review.

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JEGADEESH SATHAIYA

Authoring the Future of Research | Author |
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Imagine a library overflowing with books, all on the same topic but each with a slightly different perspective. A thorough literature review can feel like sorting those books! Here's my tip: think themes. Instead of listing every single study, group them by their main ideas. It's like color-coding the books - suddenly, patterns emerge, and you can see the big picture much easier. This way, your review becomes a clear map, guiding readers through the key knowledge on your topic.

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6 Write and revise literature

The final step of conducting a literature review is to write and revise your literature review. You should write your literature review in a clear, concise, and academic style, using appropriate language, terminology, and citations. You should also follow the guidelines and requirements of your discipline, institution, or publication. You should also revise your literature review to check for accuracy, clarity, coherence, and consistency. You should also proofread your literature review to correct any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. You should also seek feedback from your supervisor, peers, or experts to improve your literature review.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if you want to conduct a literature review that is both thorough and efficient?

1

2

3

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5

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1 Define your scope and criteria

2 Search for relevant literature

3 Evaluate and select literature

4 Analyze and synthesize literature

5 Organize and structure literature

6 Write and revise literature

7 Here’s what else to consider

Research

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What do you do if you want to conduct a literature review that is both thorough and efficient?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your scope and criteria

2 Search for relevant literature

3 Evaluate and select literature

4 Analyze and synthesize literature

5 Organize and structure literature

6 Write and revise literature

7 Here’s what else to consider

Research

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