This document discusses literature reviews and systematic literature reviews. It defines a literature review as an overview of previous research on a topic guided by research objectives. It lists purposes of literature reviews such as establishing gaps in knowledge. It provides tips for conducting literature reviews such as defining topics, prioritizing keywords, and identifying sources. The document then defines a systematic literature review as finding evidence from literature in a systematic way by stating review questions and finding answers. It lists the procedures for a systematic literature review such as starting with a well-defined question and critically assessing relevant literature.

2. Let’s start with the tool
Motivatedacademic.com 12PhD Tools to Supercharge your Literature Review

3. Literature Review
• an overview of previous research on your
research topic
• a comprehensive review of all published
research that is relevant to your research topic,
guided by your research objectives

4. Remember:
• What is known about the subject?
• What are the underpinning theories?
• Are there any gaps in the knowledge of the subject?
• Have areas of further study been identified by other
researchers?
• Who are the gurus this area?
• What aspects have generated debate on the topic?
• What is the current status of research in this area?
• What sources of information or data were identified that might
be useful to your research?

5. Purposes of a Literature Review
• Convey the depth and breadth of previous research that has been
accomplished (background of the study)
• Supports the research objectives
• Support the significance of the research
• Identify important issues
• Establish link to hypotheses
• Identify areas of missing knowledge/gaps
• Describe methodologies used
• Describe existing data sets
• Provide research context
• Recognize the gurus/scholars in your research field
• Help you learn everything about your research
• Ensure that you are not “reinventing the wheel”

6. How to do a Literature Review
1. Define the research topic, the research objectives, the research
questions, or the hypothesis.
2. Prioritize a list of keywords
3. Identify sources of information: journals, books, theses
4. Read, evaluate, analyze all the works-match with your keywords
and guided by your research objectives.
5. Looking for literature which are supportive and antithetical:
contrasting points of views.
6. Identify relationships between (S:I-facts/point of view),
relationship among variables, new findings (latest work)
7. Discuss findings and conclusions with your supervisor.
8. Most important for theoretical gaps identification
9. Write up

7. Systematic Literature Review (SLR)
• Finding evidence from (scientific) literature
– Do it in a systematic way
• State a review question
• Find the answer/evidence/materials

8. SLR
• Some of the Questions
– What are the problems in your research area?
– What are the solution for the problems?
– What are the newest results/finding in your research area?
• Take Note
– The questions should be match with your research scopes,
research questions, research topic
– The questions should be specific enough to be able to
provide enough specific findings

9. 9
SLR Procedure
1. Start from a well-defined review question
2. Searching the literature
3. Critically assess relevant literature
-the date, the context, the theoretical proposition (same as
yours?)
4. Synthesise literature (answer your research questions,
construct theoretical or conceptual framework)

10. Using Systematic Review
Source: Saunders et al. (2019)

11. Using Systematic Review
Source: Saunders et al. (2019)

12. Using Systematic Review
Source: Saunders et al. (2019)

13. Using Systematic Review
Source: Saunders et al. (2019)

14. Using Systematic Review
Source: Saunders et al. (2019)

15. Source: Hiebl, 2021

16. Mind Map
-Recommended to use as graphical
representation