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Literature Reviews
The What, Why, and How of Literature Reviews
A literature review is exactly what it sounds like: a review of the existing literature on a topic. A literature review can be standalone or part of a larger research paper or assignment.
Your instructor might ask you to do a literature review because it:
- Helps you to develop critical thinking
- In writing one, you analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources, building critical thinking skills.
- Shows that you understand existing knowledge
- What is the scope of what has already been studied?
- Builds a solid foundation in a subject.
- Contextualizes future learning
- Places your current coursework in broader context, showing how specific topics fit within larger academic conversations.
- Builds academic writing skills
- A literature review is great practice for organizing ideas and writing in a formal academic style.
- Prepares you for advanced assignments or courses
- Writing a literature review lays the groundwork for more complex research assignments and higher-level courses.
A literature review is not the same thing as an annotated bibliography or research paper.
The main differences are the degree to which you summarize, synthesize, and argue information. See the table below for a breakdown.
| Annotated Bibliography | Literature Review | Research Paper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Summarize individual sources | Synthesize research on a topic | Present an original argument |
| Focus | Each source individually | Themes/trends across sources | Author's thesis/analysis |
| Organization | Alphabetical or by topic | By themes/issues or chronologically | Introduction, body, conclusion |
| Analysis/Argument | Minimal | Moderate | Extensive |
Approaches to Organizing Literature Reviews
- Chronological
- Arrange sources by the order of publication, showing how research on the topic has evolved over time
- Thematic
- Group sources by major themes or topics within the literature, comparing how different authors address similar ideas
- Methodological
- Organize studies based on the research methods used, highlighting different approaches and their outcomes
- Theoretical
- Organize sources based on the theories or models they use, comparing different theoretical perspectives on the topic
- Trend-based
- Group sources by major trends or changes in thinking, which may not align directly with the timeline but focus on shifts in the field
- Debate-focused
- Structure the review around key debates or areas of disagreement in the literature, contrasting and comparing viewpoints
Example Literature Review
This is a fictional literature review using made-up information and sources, for example purposes only:
There is no shortage of anecdotal evidence, specifically memes, that swear a cat's behavior may be influenced by its coat color. Stories of "orange cat behavior" suggest ginger-coated cats to be more dimwitted, determined, and docile than others. What does the research say? Several studies have found correlations between specific coat colors and temperament. Miller (2017) found that orange males, in particular, showed higher levels of friendliness toward humans. Other coat colors have been described to be possibly influential on cat behavior. For instance, researchers have observed that tortoiseshell cats tend to exhibit more aggressive or unpredictable behavior, and heightened irritability compared to other colors (Smith et al., 2018; Johnson, 2016). However, it is important to note that while these patterns are observed, no definitive causal relationship has been established, and such behaviors may be because of external factors, such as environment and upbringing.
Contrasting findings have emerged in other studies that suggest coat color has little to no impact on behavior. A large-scale survey conducted by Lee and Thompson (2020) involving over 2,000 cat owners revealed no significant behavioral differences between coat colors after controlling for factors like age and gender. Similarly, Peters (2019) concluded that perceived behavior linked to coat color may be more a result of human bias than inherent traits in the cats themselves. For example, cat owners who recognize "orange cat behavior" in their pets might be experiencing confirmation bias when those traits are present. These studies highlight the need for further research to explore how much of the behavior attributed to coat color is based on anecdotal perceptions versus scientific evidence. Addtionally, research is needed in how perceived traits of cats with specific coat colors impact their potential for adoption or rescue.
References:
Johnson, R. (2016). Behavioral traits in calico cats: An examination of feline temperament. Journal of Animal Behavior Studies, 34(2), 87-103.
Lee, P., & Thompson, A. (2020). Coat color and temperament: A comprehensive survey of domestic cat owners. Feline Research Quarterly, 18(4), 150-165.
Miller, G. (2017). The social nature of orange cats: An analysis of color and behavior in felines. Journal of Companion Animal Research, 12(1), 25-39.
Peters, S. (2019). The role of owner bias in assessing feline behavior: A study of coat color perception. Animal Cognition and Perception, 22(1), 45-60.
Smith, J., O'Connor, M., & White, K. (2018). Coat color and aggression in domestic cats: A behavioral analysis. Journal of Feline Psychology, 41(3), 112-124.
Here’s an effective outline structure for a literature review based on the cat behavior and coat color example:
I. Introduction
- Purpose of Review: Briefly explain the purpose of the literature review, including the focus on the potential relationship between cat coat color and behavior.
- Background Information: Provide context about why this topic is relevant or significant within animal behavior studies.
II. Overview of Existing Research
-
Research Supporting a Coat Color-Behavior Link
- Tortoiseshell and Calico Behavior: Summarize findings by Smith et al. (2018) and Johnson (2016) on aggression and irritability in tortoiseshell and calico cats.
- Orange Cat Sociability: Discuss Miller’s (2017) findings that orange cats are perceived as more sociable and affectionate, particularly among males.
-
Contradictory Research on Coat Color and Behavior
- Studies Refuting Significant Differences: Summarize Lee and Thompson (2020)’s large-scale survey and Peters (2019)’s findings on owner bias, which suggest coat color may not reliably predict behavior.
III. Theories and Explanations
- Potential Environmental and Genetic Influences: Explore potential factors like environment, genetic diversity, or human bias that may explain inconsistencies in findings.
- Human Perception and Bias: Discuss Peters (2019)’s research on how owner bias may shape perceptions of behavior by coat color.
IV. Gaps and Areas for Future Research
- Methodological Limitations: Identify any limitations in the current research (e.g., reliance on owner surveys, small sample sizes).
- Suggestions for Future Studies: Propose directions for further research to clarify the relationship between coat color and behavior, such as longitudinal studies or controlled experiments.
V. Conclusion
- Summary of Findings: Briefly recap key trends and contrasts across studies.
- Implications and Final Thoughts: Reflect on the practical implications of the findings and the importance of addressing research gaps.
Here are examples of a descriptive paragraph versus an analytical/critical paragraph within the context of a literature review on cat behavior and coat color.
Descriptive Paragraph
Research on the link between cat coat color and behavior has produced varied findings. Smith et al. (2018) found that tortoiseshell cats are more likely to display aggression compared to other coat colors, based on a behavioral analysis of 500 cats. Johnson (2016) observed similar results, noting increased irritability in calico cats, especially in unfamiliar environments. Additionally, Miller (2017) reported that orange male cats tend to be more sociable and friendly toward humans, with survey results from 300 cat owners supporting this claim. Conversely, Lee and Thompson (2020) conducted a survey of 2,000 cat owners and found no significant behavioral differences across coat colors when controlling for factors like age and gender. Peters (2019) also concluded that much of the perceived behavior associated with coat colors could be attributed to owner bias rather than inherent traits in the cats themselves.
Analytical/Critical Paragraph
The existing literature on cat coat color and behavior reveals both intriguing patterns and significant limitations. While studies like Smith et al. (2018) and Johnson (2016) suggest a potential link between tortoiseshell and calico coats and aggressive tendencies, these findings lack a consistent methodological approach, raising questions about their generalizability. Smith et al.’s sample of 500 cats, though substantial, relies heavily on observational data, which may be influenced by owner perceptions. In contrast, the large-scale survey by Lee and Thompson (2020) involving over 2,000 participants challenges these associations by showing no behavioral differences once variables like age and gender are accounted for. Peters (2019) further complicates the discussion, proposing that owner bias may shape perceptions of coat color and behavior, thus undermining the reliability of anecdotal reports. This variability across studies underscores a need for more controlled research designs to distinguish genuine behavioral patterns from external biases or environmental factors.