Graduate Student Guide to Schumann Library

• Help explain and understand the research on a topic
• Show why a topic is important
• Help focus your research questions
• Identify major themes
• Assess current state of research
• Identify experts
• Identify areas for further research

• Create solid foundation of knowledge in the area 

A literature review is a critical evaluation of the scholarly research on a topic. A literature review gives the reader an overview of sources.  These sources include the literature/scholarship/research in any given field.  

Check out this short video created by NCSU Libraries for an introduction to literature review.