Frequently asked questions

A literature review involves finding, reading, and making sense of existing research on a topic. Depending on your assignment or project, “literature review” may mean different things.

To get started, first think about what kind of work you are being asked to do:

• Course assignment or class paper? Start with Academic Research Skills: Literature Reviews.
• Larger undergraduate research project, honours project, poster, or independent study? Start with the Undergraduate Research Guide: Literature Reviews.
• Systematic review, scoping review, or other structured review? Start with the MRU Evidence Synthesis Guide.

Has your faculty supervisor asked you to do a literature review? 

If so, the first step is to clarify what kind of review they mean and what they want the final product to do.

Before you begin searching, try to confirm:

• the topic or research question
• the purpose of the review
• how broad or narrow the search should be
• whether this is a general literature review or a more structured review method
• what you are expected to produce (for example, a summary, synthesis matrix, annotated bibliography, or documented search)

If the project mentions PRISMA, a protocol, inclusion and exclusion criteria, or a reproducible search, you should usually start with the Evidence Synthesis guide.

It may also help to work through this literature review worksheet with your supervisor before starting.

Need help? Contact your subject librarian.