Academic Writing: Categories
Literature Review in Science: How to Cope with the Task
When you get down to writing serious academic papers in science, such as thesis or dissertation, you inevitably face the necessity of writing a literature review in science. In fact, literature reviews in science provide the theoretical scope and the general background for your research.
Therefore it is important to get your literature review in science right from the very beginning. Read on and discover our helpful advice on writing a literature review in science!
Literature Review in Science: General Information
To get a proper image of what a literature review in science is, consider following:
- a literature review in science is a discussion of the available literature on a certain research topic published within a given time period;
- unlike annotated bibliography, a literature review in science is organized around a certain model, has a summary and synthesis.
Literature Review in Science: Preliminary Procedures
In order to get your literature reviews in science right, make sure you observe the following:
- decide on the number and type of sources you want to review;
- see that your sources are current enough for your research purposes;
- choose the way you approach your sources: do you summarize, synthesize, evaluate, or critique them?
- find an appropriate model for your literature review in science.
Literature Review in Science: Organization Matters
When you get down to writing your literature reviews in science, complete the following:
- pick a theme to organize your sources around;
- create a working thesis that expresses the perspective on the material;
- consider the organization of your review: together with the obligatory introduction-body-construction scheme, you may choose to apply chronological, thematic, or methodological approach to writing your review.
Literature Review in Science: Writing Tips
In writing your literature reviews in science, it is necessary to employ the following:
- use evidence;
- be selective;
- use quotes sparingly;
- summarize and synthesize within each paragraph and throughout the whole review;
- keep your own voice;
- paraphrase with caution.