How to Undertake a Literature Review

The first step in conducting a literature review is to search for academic research that has already been completed on your topic. This can be done through online databases, library catalogues, or by visiting your university library to access both digital and print resources. Tools such as Google Scholar can help you begin your search, but a comprehensive review requires the use of academic databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, Emcare, Scopus, or Web of Science. In some cases, research conducted outside of academic settings, such as reports from government agencies, non-profit organizations, or health authorities, can offer valuable practical insight that complements peer reviewed literature.

As you review the literature, it is important to consider who funded the research and the purpose behind it. In the Canadian context, partnerships between universities and industry are becoming more common, which makes it essential to evaluate whether funding sources may influence the research outcomes. Understanding the perspective and intention behind each study strengthens your ability to assess its credibility and relevance.

As you begin reviewing sources, it is important to consider not only what the research says but also who produced it and why. Funding sources, organizational interests, and the broader context in which research was conducted can influence how information is presented. This is particularly relevant in the Canadian context, where partnerships between post-secondary institutions and industry are increasingly common.

While reviewing the literature, several guiding questions can help deepen your understanding of the topic:

• Who has studied this topic? Identify key researchers, major contributors, and influential teams or research programs.

• How are key concepts defined? Determine whether definitions have changed over time or vary across studies.

• What theories have been used? Consider how theoretical perspectives have evolved and how they shape the interpretation of findings.

• What methodologies have been applied? Note whether research approaches have become more rigorous or diverse over time.

Throughout this process, detailed note-taking is essential. Many students find it useful to document their notes in a spreadsheet. For each article:

• Summarize the key findings in your own words.

• Record the study design, sample characteristics, and data collection methods.

• Note any statistical analyses used, if relevant.

• Capture the main ideas from review articles and summarize their overall message.

• Identify limitations, contradictions, or emerging gaps that appear across studies.

When reading the literature, remember that the goal is not to produce a list of separate summaries. Instead, you are looking for the “big picture.” Pay attention to recurring themes, points of agreement or disagreement, and patterns that reveal how the topic has been studied over time. Reviewing the conclusion sections of articles is especially helpful, as researchers often identify remaining gaps or suggest areas for future research. This can guide you toward meaningful research questions grounded in current evidence.

Researchers often point out gaps or unanswered questions in the conclusion of their articles. These suggestions can be helpful when determining where further investigation is needed. However, gaps identified many years ago may no longer be relevant, as the literature evolves quickly—particularly in nursing and health research. Focusing on up-to-date sources ensures that the knowledge gap you identify is truly current. As you review the literature, you may find that your initial research question needs to shift. This is a normal part of the research process. A refined question aligns more closely with the evidence and leads to a clearer, stronger study. Also remember that you will likely read more sources than you ultimately use. For example, you may need to review thirty articles in order to select the twenty strongest and most relevant for your literature review.

How to write a literature review

There are three parts to the literature review: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. In the following paragraphs we outline what to include in each of these sections. This section concludes with a variety of resources for you to explore.

Introduction

The introduction must identify your topic by briefly discussing why it is significant, and it should include a clear statement that outlines the overall conclusion your literature review will lead toward.

If your literature review is part of a larger project, explain how the review supports and strengthens your research question. Show the reader why understanding the existing research is essential for the study you plan to conduct.

Defend the importance of your topic by giving a broad overview of its relevance to nursing practice. For example, if you are examining nurse burnout, you might include current Canadian statistics on workload, staffing shortages, or turnover to illustrate the real-world impact on patient care and workforce well-being.

Clarify the scope of your review. Specify whether you are examining the entire history of research on your topic or focusing on studies conducted within a particular period, such as the last five years.

Body

Discuss and assess the research according to clear organizational principles rather than reviewing each source one by one. Most paragraphs should integrate more than one study to help you build meaningful thematic connections.

Compare, contrast, and connect the various pieces of research. Look for recurring patterns or themes in the literature. For example, when reviewing nurse burnout, you may identify themes such as workload pressures, moral distress, workplace culture, and access to organizational support. These themes help you understand the broader landscape of the issue.

Identify how the research has evolved over time. Consider who the main contributors are in your topic area, how definitions of key concepts have shifted, and how theories or methodological approaches have developed. This helps you see the larger trajectory of the field and where your work fits.

Summarize the major findings of the studies you are reviewing. Use strong organization and clear transitions so the reader can follow your analysis. Give more attention to the researchers or studies that have the strongest influence on the field or are most closely aligned with your research question.

Conclusion

Based on the literature you have reviewed, suggest where the research in your area should go next. Identify gaps, contradictions, or areas that require further exploration. If you are proposing your own research study, explain exactly how your project will contribute to the field. Show how your study addresses an identified gap or extends previous work. The conclusion should reinforce the importance of your topic now that you have established what is already known and what remains uncertain.

Table 6.1: Three ways to organize your literature review (adapted from Sheppard, 2019)