DEFINITIONs.

A literature review is a critical analysis of a segment of a published body of knowledge through summary, classification, and comparison of prior research studies, reviews of literature, and theoretical articles -(University of Wisconsin Writing Center).

A discussion of your research area arranged by key findings that lead up to your research question. - (Bowker, 2006).

Three key qualities:

Focused
Concise

Logical
Developed Integrative Current

 information

seeking: the ability to scan the literature efficiently, using manual or computerized methods, to identify a set of useful articles and books critical appraisal: the ability to apply principles of analysis to identify unbiased and valid studies.

Literature review helps to

-review what has been done already . -to identify problem and to answer specific question. -to provide rationale to proposed study . -to relate to previous studies . -to detect conflicting points.