Scientific
Literature
Review
1. What is a Scientific Literature Review?
2. How to write a Scientific Literature Review
3. Key elements of a Coherent Literature Review
4. Literature Review Structure
Overview:
What is a
Scientific
Literature
Review?
A scientific literature review is a critical account of what has
been published on a topic by accredited researchers.
It may be:
• A stand-alone assignment
• An introduction to an essay, report, thesis, etc.
• Part of research/grant proposals
Scientific Literature Review:
Writing a literature review will:
• Improve your topic knowledge
• Provide new insight on your topic to others
• Demonstrate your literature searching abilities
• Demonstrate your critical analysis skills
• Demonstrate your communication/writing skills
…your lecturer will be marking you on these skills!
Scientific Literature Review:
A scientific literature review is not:
• An English essay… use scientific writing!
• A summary of each research article that you read
• Based on personal opinion or biased towards your opinion
• A chronological history of events in your research area
Scientific Literature Review:
What is the purpose of a literature review?
Scientific Literature Review:
What is the purpose of a literature review?
Communication and advancement of scientific knowledge!
• Scientific knowledge is not static: reviews help scientists to
understand how knowledge in a particular field is changing
and developing over time
• There is a significant output of scientific publications –
literature reviews save time for the scientific community
• Literature reviews can lead to new scientific insights and
highlight gaps, conflicting results and under-examined areas
of research
Scientific Literature Review:
A scientific literature review should:
• Provide a clear statement of the topical area (scope)
• Provide a range of research on the topic – and not just the
“good” data!
• Critically analyse a selected topic using a published body of
knowledge (backed-up arguments)
• Provide an indication of what further research is necessary
• Identify areas of controversy in the literature
Scientific Literature Review:
How To Write
A Scientific
Literature
Review?
Scientific Writing!
...is writing about scientific topics aimed at specialists in
a particular field
Assume the reader is familiar with the research/topic area
but not with the specifics of your review…
i.e. your lecturer
your Principal Investigator
peer-reviewers (journal articles, research papers, book
chapters, grant proposals)
Use precision, clarity and objectivity!
Scientific Writing!
1. Be precise!
Ambiguities in writing cause confusion and may prevent a
reader from grasping key concepts of your review…
• Use precise concrete language, no ambiguity
eg ‘correlated’ ≠ ‘related’
• Exclude similes/metaphors (and humour!)
• Be quantitative wherever relevant (stats, numbers etc.)
Scientific Writing!
2. Be clear!
Concepts in the sciences can often be complex; without
clarity the reader may be confused or misled
• Simple language – no unnecessary “frills” (distractions)
• Pay attention to sentence structure, grammar
Your reader will be interested based on the science
only… make it easy for them to access!
Scientific Writing!
3. Be objective!
Any claims that you make need to be based on facts, not
intuition or emotion
• Passive voice – focus is on the literature!
• Avoid assumptions or sweeping statements
• Be aware of research limitations and refer to these in
the review
How to Write a Scientific Literature
Review?
Reviewing the literature requires four stages:
1. Problem formulation - Which topic is being examined and
why? What aspects will be included/excluded? Define your
scope
2. Literature search - Identifying relevant research
3. Critical analysis – Criticise the experts; identify conflicting
evidence, assumptions, errors and misconceptions
4. Evaluation – which authors are most convincing and provide
the most significant scientific contribution? Have I conducted a
fair and objective literature review?
1. Problem Formation
Ask yourself questions like these:
• What useful reviews are missing or not up to date in my
research area?
• What new review topic would be useful to scientists?
• Is there a specific aspect of this topic that my literature
review might help to define?
eg. critically comparing different methodological approaches,
contrasting evidence, assessing therapeutic potential, etc.
• What is the scope of my literature review? Be specific
Literature Searching…
1. Online Research (basic) – Background Information
• Wikipedia (gasp!)
• Relevant “background” websites (eg. university websites,
company websites, associations eg. American Heart Association)
• YouTube, TED Talks
2. General Literature Search – Literature Overview
• Google Scholar/Books
• PubMed
…find other relevant literature reviews in the area to see what
has been done/what is needed
3. Specific Literature Search – The Detail
• Library databases e.g Web of Science
• “Advanced search” tool in Google Scholar/PubMed
• Identify key references for each topic of your review
TIP: Use the
Library!
Library staff
are always
there to help
if you have
questions on
literature
searching.
3. Critical Analysis
In assessing each source, consideration should be given
to:
• Provenance - Author's credentials? Are the author's
arguments supported by evidence?
• Objectivity - Is the author's perspective fair? Is contrary
data considered? Is information ignored to prove the
author's point? (bias)
• Persuasiveness – Is the author’s data convincing?
• Value - Does the work contribute in a significant way to
an understanding of the field?
…this involves CRITICAL THINKING!
What is critical thinking?
Cottrell (2016):
“The process of looking at ideas and information critically,
taking nothing for granted, but questioning accuracy,
motivation and inferences, and seeking new understanding,
connections and insights.”
i.e. weighing up the evidence and arguments for or
against something, and coming up with your own
informed opinion.
Critical Thinking…
Move from Description to Analysis!
Description – reproducing information
• Summarising texts - accepting details, results etc.
Analysis – deconstructing information in order to:
• Challenge assumptions; perspectives
• Show limitations in studies, exceptions to cases
• Highlight under-examined aspects of research
Key aspects of critical thinking
• Identify evidence to back-up AND challenge key points
• Detecting inconsistencies and mistakes in authors’ reasoning
• Detecting bias, premature conclusions, lacking evidence
• Distinguishing between fact and opinion
• Evaluating conflicting opinions/research
• Suggesting new or different solutions
• Constructing your own arguments and opinions
What should I be asking?
• Why is the author choosing to use the evidence presented?
• Is there a hidden agenda? (eg. financial gain)
• Are the sources reliable and objective?
• Is there bias present?
• Have all of the points been cited?
• Is there information missing?
• Are there conflicting opinions/conclusions?
And most importantly….
• Do I agree with these opinions/conclusions?
Critical Thinking…
Critical Thinking is the key to a good grade…
…don’t be afraid to criticise the experts and
show your understanding of the topic!
This is the most important aspect of a good literature
review!
4. Evaluation and Interpretation
• What conclusions can I make from the most convincing
literature? What are my opinions/arguments?
Also evaluate your own interpretations…
• Have I made a well-informed decision? How good was
my information seeking? Has my search been wide
enough to ensure all relevant material is included? Has it
been narrow enough to exclude irrelevant material?
• Have I critically analysed the literature I use?
• Instead of just listing and summarizing research, do I
assess them, discussing strengths and weaknesses?
• Have I cited and discussed studies contrary to my
perspective to form a well-balanced argument?
Coherent
Scientific
Literature
Reviews
Coherent Scientific Literature Reviews
Aim for:
• Clear and cohesive essay that integrates the key details
of the literature and communicates your point of view
• Tackle one key point at a time
• Use subheadings, especially in long reviews
• Check the flow of your argument for coherence (logical
order?)
…this is all about STRUCTURE!
How to structure a scientific literature review?
• Introduction: An overview of the topic under consideration,
along with the objectives of the literature review.
• Main body: Critical analysis, evaluation of topically relevant
research/data; Break into sub-headings
• Conclusion: Summarise the key points from your review
Scientific Literature Review:
Word count:
Introduction = 10%
Main Body = 80-85%
Conclusion = 5-10%
Before you start writing…
1. Brainstorm/plan your review
Allow 10% of your word count for each Introduction and
Conclusion
What are the key aspects of your review?
2. Decide on the number of “topics” you will address based
on your remaining word count (80%)
Of the most interesting/relevant topics… how many can you
address in the allowed word count? Prioritise!
3. Choose your topics
Scan the literature, make sure there is enough information out
there for you to complete a coherent, critical summary of each
chosen topic
It is usually easier to write this after the main body…
Introduce your topic by highlighting the core scientific facts that
are well backed up and widely accepted
Highlight the importance of the review – are you assessing
potential clinical relevance? Gap in research area? New
perspective?
What is the core aim of this review? To compare and contrast
conflicting evidence? To identify under-examined aspects of the
topic?
Tell the reader what you are going to talk about… list your
topics in order!
1. Introduction
2. Writing the Main Body
• Group research topics according to common elements and
back up main points with research
• Focus on recent data where possible – scientific fact
changes/develops over time!
• Summarize individual studies or articles with as much or as
little detail as is relevant – detail denotes significance!
• Tackle one key point per paragraph so as not to overwhelm
the reader
• Use sub-headings to group your topics
• Use diagrams, figures, tables where appropriate
Student Learning
INTRO
10% of word
count
Go from the broad to the specific. Introduce the general topic, why it is
an important area, then state what you will specifically do to investigate
it further.
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
CONCLUSION
10% of word
count
Go from the specific to the broad. State the conclusions you can draw
from the points you’ve made in the essay, and connect this learning to
the general topic. End by posing a question for future research in the
field.
Sub-point 1
Sub-point 2
Sub-point 3
Sub-point 1
Sub-point 2
Sub-point 3
Sub-point 1
Sub-point 2
Sub-point 3
Essay Template
Sub-
headings
Tackle 2-3 key points per section…
…one key point per paragraph!
1. Topic Sentence
• Start each topic with a strong “umbrella” sentence introducing
your key point
2. Supporting Sentences
• Provide context, examples or data
• Each point backed up with a source/reference
• Use “linker” words to introduce similar points
• Opposing data should also be considered
3. Concluding Sentence
• Include summary sentences at end of paragraphs… why this
information is relevant
• May link to following paragraph
1. Writing the Main Body
www.smart-words.org
Critical Phrases…
http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/
2. Main Body: Figures/Tables
• Aim for one key figure/table per section; this can be to:
- illustrate a complex concept
- summarise a large body of relevant data
- describe the order of a process (flow diagrams)
• Legend below image/figure and above table
• Always refer to figures/tables in text… direct the reader to them
(as seen in Figure 1; as summarised in Table 1)
• Provide a detailed legend… each figure + legend should stand
in its own right without the review text
• Figures and tables provide a break for the reader and a
chance to understand and reflect on key concepts!
Writing the Conclusion
• Maintain the focus established in the introduction
• Summarise major research contributions to the scientific field
(most convincing data) and make your point of view clear
• Point out major flaws/gaps/inconsistencies in research
• Highlight potential future studies
• Provide closure so that the path of the argument ends with a
conclusion of some kind
NOTE: A literature review in a thesis or dissertation usually
leads to the research questions that will be addressed…. 4
th
Year students!
Additional Sections….
• Usually, a short ABSTRACT (approx. 200 words) is required
before your literature text to summarise the topics, main
findings and conclusions from your review
• This tells the reader exactly what your review contains so that
they can make an informed decision - if it is relevant or not -
before reading the full text
• TABLE OF CONTENTS – show the reader where to find the
relevant information
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS – acknowledge any funding
bodies/research groups that contributed to the review writing
process
• CONFLICT OF INTEREST – you must declare if the primary
interest of your review may be affected by any secondary
interests (personal benefit)
Revising & Editing
Voice – passive voice? Target audience?
Cohesion – sentence length/clarity?
Criticality – clear critical thinking?
Referencing – have I referenced where appropriate?
Grammar – Grammarly!
Mechanical issues – sentence length, spelling, punctuation
Ask peers/family members – get second/third/fourth opinion!
Read out loud - Claroread
Give yourself a break – Fresh eyes!
YOU HAVE PUT IN SO MUCH TIME ALREADY….
….MAKE IT PERFECT!!!
Referencing
It is essential to credit published papers for work mentioned
in your manuscript…
• In-text
• Reference List/Bibliography – what is the difference?
“atherosclerosis has been claimed to be an independent risk factor for
cardiovascular death (Detrano et al., 2008)”.
Detrano R, Guerci AD, Carr JJ, Bild DE, Burke G, Folsom AR, Liu K, Shea S,
Szklo M, Bluemke DA, O'Leary DH, Tracy R, Watson K, Wong ND, Kronmal
RA. Coronary calcium as a predictor of coronary events in four racial or ethnic
groups. N Engl J Med 2008. 358:pp1336-1345.
Harvard referencing guide….
CiteThemRight….
Zotero referencing manager…
Mendeley/RefWorks – other options
Do the library workshops!!
All available
from DCU
Library website
Referencing
Figures/Tables:
• In-text citation in the figure legend after description
• May need to ask for permission from the publisher – be
careful! (is the image copyrighted?)
• If figure is adjusted: “image adapted from [source]”
MAKE SURE YOU REFERENCE THE SOURCE MATERIAL
(original research paper, where appropriate) and NOT A
REVIEW OF THE RESEARCH
Except when you are referencing another reviewer’s
opinion/critique etc.
• Avoid plagiarism… use quotation marks for direct quotes +
“in-text” citation
• Use “in-text” citation only to reference ideas/opinions/indirect
quotes
Example: Published Review…
Concise, informative title
Short abstract – 200 word
summary
Table of Contents
Sub-headings
Good paragraph length to
clearly analyse key topics
Example: Published Review…
Informative/relevant
image and figure legend
Clear summary table and
table legend
Example: Published Review…
Lengthy reference list
Relevant
acknowledgements
Concluding with key
points and future work
QUESTIONS
???
Acknowledgements
This presentation was prepared based on the resources
kindly made available online by:
• University of Santa Cruz
http://guides.library.ucsc.edu/c.php?g=119714&p=780881
• University of Toronto
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-
writing/literature-review
• University of Minnesota Duluth
http://www.duluth.umn.edu/~hrallis/guides/researching/litrevi
ew.html
• The University of Wisconsin - Madison Writing Centre
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html
• Monash University
http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/science/lit-
review/index.xml
