How to Conduct and Write an Effective Literature Review

This guide explains how to plan, locate, evaluate, synthesise, and write an effective literature review for research papers, projects, and capstone assignments at Vector Technology Institute (VTI).

APA Style (7th edition) is required for all research papers submitted at VTI unless otherwise specified.

Using This Guide Successfully

  • Start early and plan your search strategy.
  • Prioritise peer-reviewed and institutional sources.
  • Evaluate sources critically before inclusion.
  • Organise literature by themes (not author-by-author summaries).
  • Apply APA Style consistently from the first draft.

Related internal guides: Research Skills Library Guide • How to Write the Research Paper • APA Style & Citation Guide

Programme sources: For discipline-focused resources, use the relevant Programme Library Guides (e.g., ICT, Technology Management, CS/IT).

1. What Is a Literature Review?

A literature review is a critical analysis and synthesis of existing research related to your topic or research question. It shows what is already known, what debates exist, what methods are common, and where gaps remain.

  • Demonstrates understanding of the research field.
  • Identifies key theories, frameworks, and standards.
  • Compares findings across studies (agreement/disagreement).
  • Justifies the need for your research (the gap).

A literature review is not a list of summaries. It is a structured discussion that groups evidence by themes, concepts, or approaches.

2. Planning Your Literature Review

Effective literature reviews start with a clear plan.

  • Clarify your research question or problem statement.
  • Define keywords, synonyms, and related terms.
  • Set inclusion/exclusion criteria (date range, region, type of source).
  • Choose an organisational method (thematic, methodological, chronological).

Example (ICT): “Cloud security controls in SMEs” → include keywords like cloud governance, zero trust, NIST, risk management, Caribbean SMEs.

3. Finding Scholarly Literature

Use academic discovery tools and reputable open access sources. Start broad, then narrow to the most relevant peer-reviewed literature.

  • Google Scholar – Broad scholarly discovery (articles, theses, books).
  • BASE – Indexes repositories and publishers worldwide (full-text strong).
  • CORE – Aggregates open access research papers from repositories and journals.
  • DOAJ – Directory of peer-reviewed open access journals.
  • OATD – Open Access Theses & Dissertations (deep technical context).
  • NDLTD – Global theses/dissertations discovery network.

Tip: Once you find 2–3 strong sources, use their reference lists and “cited by” links to expand your literature set.

4. Evaluating Sources (CRAAP + Peer Review)

Before including any source, evaluate its credibility and relevance. Prioritise peer-reviewed journals, reputable institutional repositories, and recognised standards/frameworks.

Use the CRAAP Test

  • Currency: Is it recent enough for your topic?
  • Relevance: Does it directly support your research question?
  • Authority: Is the author/publisher credible?
  • Accuracy: Are claims supported by evidence and citations?
  • Purpose: Is the source objective (not purely promotional)?

Quick peer review check: Confirm whether the journal is indexed/curated (e.g., DOAJ) and whether the article includes a clear methodology and references.

Need help evaluating sources? Use the Research Skills Library Guide for deeper guidance on credibility and academic quality.

5. Organising the Literature Review

Organise your literature so it tells a clear story and builds an argument. The most effective approach is usually thematic.

  • Thematic: Group research into themes (most recommended).
  • Methodological: Compare methods (surveys, experiments, case studies).
  • Chronological: Show how ideas evolved over time.
  • Framework-based: Organise around theories/models/standards (e.g., NIST, ITIL, OWASP).

Avoid: “Article-by-article” writing without comparison or synthesis.

6. Writing the Literature Review

A strong literature review typically includes:

  • Introduction: scope, purpose, and how the review is organised.
  • Body: themed synthesis and critical analysis (compare/contrast studies).
  • Conclusion: key findings, limitations, and the research gap your study addresses.

Use linking language to demonstrate synthesis: however, in contrast, similarly, collectively, this suggests, evidence indicates.

What markers look for: clear themes, strong scholarly sources, balanced critique, and a clear gap that leads logically into your own research.

Additional Guidance & Worked Examples

The following academic writing guides provide clear explanations, examples, and models for planning, structuring, and writing an effective literature review.

7. APA Style and Citation (VTI Requirement)

All sources used in your literature review must be cited using APA Style (7th edition), as required at Vector Technology Institute. Your literature review should include consistent in-text citations and a correctly formatted reference list.

  • Use in-text citations for all ideas, evidence, and findings.
  • List every cited source in the References section.
  • Maintain consistency across headings, spacing, and formatting.

APA support: Use the APA Style & Citation Guide (VTI) and consult the APA Style Official Website when needed.

8. Final Literature Review Checklist

  • Have you used mostly peer-reviewed or authoritative institutional sources?
  • Is the review organised by themes, frameworks, or methods (not by author only)?
  • Do you compare and contrast studies (synthesis) rather than summarise?
  • Do you identify gaps and limitations in the existing research?
  • Is APA Style applied consistently throughout?

Related Library Guides