Question

How to review existing literature on a topic

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Answered by GPT 3.5
Reviewing existing literature on a topic is an important step in conducting research as it helps you understand what has already been studied and discovered in your field of interest. Here are some steps you can follow to effectively review existing literature on a topic:

1. Define your research question or topic: Before you start reviewing literature, it's essential to have a clear understanding of your research question or the specific topic you are interested in exploring.

2. Identify relevant sources: Start by searching for academic sources such as journal articles, books, conference papers, and other publications related to your research question. Online databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and JSTOR can be useful for finding relevant literature.

3. Evaluate the credibility of sources: Make sure to review literature from reputable sources and authors. Look for peer-reviewed articles and publications from established researchers in the field.

4. Organize your sources: Keep track of the literature you find by creating a bibliography or reference list. Organize your sources by themes or subtopics to make it easier to synthesize the information later on.

5. Read and take notes: Read the literature carefully and take notes on key findings, methodologies, and arguments presented in each source. Consider summarizing each source and noting how it contributes to the overall understanding of your research topic.

6. Analyze and synthesize the literature: Once you have reviewed a significant amount of literature, analyze the findings, identify gaps in the research, and draw connections between different sources. Consider how the literature contributes to the current knowledge in the field and how it informs your research question.

7. Write your literature review: Finally, write a literature review that summarizes the key findings and debates in the field, identifies gaps in the research, and highlights the relevance of existing literature to your research question. Make sure to properly cite all sources used in your review.

By following these steps, you can effectively review existing literature on a topic and gain a deeper understanding of the current state of knowledge in your field of interest.

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