Literature Review Examples for Nursing Students

Understanding Literature Reviews

As a nursing student, you’ll come across the term “literature review” frequently. It’s a vital component of research and academic writing. But what exactly does it mean, and what does it entail? Let’s delve deeper into the definition, purpose, and components of a literature review.

Definition and Purpose

A literature review is a written summary of the existing published research on a particular topic. It can be a brief overview or form the basis of an entire article. The purpose of a literature review is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on a topic and/or to provide a context for new research.

A literature review discusses published information in a specific subject area, and occasionally information in a particular subject area within a certain time period. The goal is to give an account of what has been published on the topic by acclaimed scholars and researchers. For more details, you can check out our article on literature review definition.

Components of a Literature Review

A literature review is a key component of a research proposal as it provides the background and significance of the proposed research. It is essentially a review and synthesis of prior research related to the problem being investigated.

The literature review should be intelligently structured and organized into conceptual categories or themes, rather than merely describing the various groups of literature reviewed. This organization allows readers to understand the state of research in the field and identify the gaps your research aims to fill.

Moreover, your literature review should demonstrate that your research study is original, innovative, and adds to the larger body of existing research in the field. It should clearly establish the relevance of your research question and how it fits into the existing scholarly conversation (Pressbooks).

In summary, a well-executed literature review should provide a thorough overview of the current state of research, identify gaps or areas for further investigation, and establish the relevance and originality of your research. As you embark on writing your literature review, consider using a literature review template to help structure your review and ensure you are including all the necessary components. For more tips, visit our guide on how to write a literature review.

Importance of Literature Reviews

Literature reviews serve as an essential backbone for any research project, especially for you as a nursing student. Understanding their significance in research and how they contribute to existing knowledge can help you write effective literature reviews.

Significance in Research

A literature review is a crucial component of a research proposal, providing the background and significance of the proposed research. It is a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of prior research related to the problem being investigated.

One of the primary benefits of conducting a literature review is the assessment of the current state of research on a topic. This aids in understanding what is already known about the topic and the extent of previous research. It can also help identify important questions about a topic that require further research. By analyzing existing literature, you may discover unexplored angles or gaps that need to be addressed in future studies, leading to new research directions.

Building on Existing Knowledge

A literature review allows you to build on the existing knowledge base in your area of study. It can help you identify key experts who have significantly contributed to the field and are considered knowledgeable resources for consultation.

Reviewing past studies through a literature review also allows you to determine the methodologies used in previous research on the same or similar topics. This knowledge can guide you in selecting appropriate approaches for your investigation and may even inspire new research methods (UNF Library).

After completing a literature review, you should have a solid foundation in your area of study and a clear direction for new research. You can consult experts identified during the review process for any additional questions that may arise during your research work (UNF Library).

In summary, a literature review is not just a summary of past works. It is a tool that enables you to understand the landscape of knowledge in your chosen study area and to navigate your research effectively. For useful guidelines on structuring your literature review, check out our articles on how to write a literature review, literature review template, and literature review format.

Writing an Effective Literature Review

A literature review is not just a summary of sources but an analysis of current knowledge on a specific topic. It involves analyzing, synthesizes, and evaluates to present a clear understanding of theory for papers, theses, or dissertation. It is a crucial part of your academic studies, and its effective writing can significantly contribute to your overall of the subject. In this section, you will learn about the steps to writing a literature review and the challenges faced by writers.

Steps to Writing

There are five key steps to writing a literature review that can help you in understanding the subject and presenting a clear perspective of the topic (Scribbr):

1. Define the scope of the review: Identify and define your research question or hypothesis.
2. Conduct a systematic literature search: Use appropriate keywords, filters, and criteria to find relevant sources.
3. Evaluate the sources and sources: Assess the quality, credibility, and relevance of the sources using indicators such as the author’s credentials, the publication date, the peer-review status, the citations, and the research methods.
4. Organize and synthesize the sources: Group the sources according to the main themes, patterns, trends, gaps, and controversies in the literature.
5. Compare and contrast the sources: Relate the different perspectives, arguments, and evidences presented by the sources to your research question or hypothesis.

For more details on how to write a literature review, check out our guide on how to write a literature review.

Challenges Faced by Writers

Writing a literature review can be a daunting task due to several challenges that writers often face. One of the first challenges is finding and selecting the right sources for the review. You need to conduct a comprehensive and systematic search of the relevant databases, libraries, and online platforms, using appropriate keywords, filters, and criteria.

Another challenge is organizing and synthesizing the information from the sources. You need to identify the main themes, patterns, trends, gaps, and controversies in the literature and group the sources accordingly. You also need to compare and contrast the different perspectives, arguments, and evidences presented by the sources and relate them to the research question or hypothesis (LinkedIn).

To overcome these challenges, you can use a literature review template or follow a specific literature review format. Additionally, regular practice and perseverance can significantly improve your literature review writing skills. Remember, the journey to mastery begins with a single step. Keep practicing and improving, and soon you will be able to write an effective literature review with ease.

Tips for Structuring a Literature Review

Structuring a literature review can be a daunting task, especially when you’re dealing with a multitude of sources. The key to a well-structured literature review lies in effective organization and synthesis of information sourced from the literature.

Organizing Information

Pressbooks suggests that your literature review should be intelligently structured and organized into conceptual categories or themes, as opposed to merely describing the various bodies of literature you’ve reviewed. This approach involves evaluating and selecting sources, identifying themes, debates, and gaps in the literature, and outlining the structure of the literature review (Scribbr).

One common challenge in writing a literature review is organizing and synthesizing the information from the sources. As a writer, you need to identify the main themes, patterns, trends, gaps, and controversies in the literature and group the sources accordingly. You also need to compare and contrast the different perspectives, arguments, and evidence presented by the sources and relate them to your research question or hypothesis (LinkedIn).

To help you organize your literature review, you might find our literature review template useful.

Synthesizing Sources

While a literature review can be a simple summary of the sources, it typically has an organizational pattern and combines both summary and synthesis.

The challenge lies in structuring the review in a coherent and logical way. You need to follow the conventions and expectations of the discipline, the audience, and the purpose of the review. Appropriate transitions, headings, subheadings, and signposts should be used to guide the reader through the review.

In the process of synthesizing your sources, ensure you maintain a balance between the different perspectives while tying everything back to your research question. This not only makes your literature review more cohesive but also helps to highlight the relevance of your research.

For more guidance on how to write a literature review, you can visit our guide on how to write a literature review and familiarize yourself with the literature review format.