Social Work Literature Review Guidelines

The Purdue University OWL (Online Writing Lab) provides an introduction and several tips.

Here are some videos on YouTube that come recommended by SSW faculty.

And here is another great one:

What is a Literature Review?

• Surveys scholarly articles, books and other sources relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory(ies).
• Summarizes and synthesis, often within specific conceptual categories.
• Provides an overview and critical evaluation of the most significant sources you explored while researching a particular topic
• Demonstrates to your readers how your research fits into your larger field of study.

A Literature Review is NOT a summary of the articles

-- that's an annotated bibliography

Purpose of a Literature Review

• Increases your knowledge in your area of research, including seminal research and opposing viewpoints.
• Leads to new insights and changes in practice, possible because you reviewed all available research in a particular area.
• Helps you identify main methodologies and research techniques.
• Allows one piece of research to be viewed within the wider context of others.
• Enhances subject vocabulary.
• Relates ideas and theory to applications

Structure of a Literature Review

• Introduction
• Each body paragraphs contains:
  • Statement that explains the information presented
  • Evidence, including summaries and citations
• Conclusion

Aveyard, H. (2014). Doing a literature review in health and social care: A practical guide.3d ed. New York: Open University Press

• Note the citation information
• Summarize key points (including quotes) and note page numbers
• Identify context or relationships to your research question
• How is this significant?
• Important figures (brief description and page numbers)
• References to follow-up on