By organising your literature review effectively, you'll enhance comprehension and engagement, making your work stand out. Discover how to structure your review logically, ensuring that your arguments flow smoothly, making it easy for your readers to follow your analysis.
There are different ways that your information can be organised in a literature review. They include:
thematic: grouping literature according to themes or topics.
chronological: arranging the literature according to the order in which the studies were published.
theoretical: organising the literature by theoretical frameworks or models that can be applied to the topic.
Whichever way you choose to group your information, remember that you need to compare and contrast the ideas of authors, rather than writing one paragraph about one study then another paragraph about another study, and so on.
Introduction
In your introduction, begin by providing your reader with an overview of the general context of your literature review. This is where you introduce the topic in broad terms.
Example
The rise of online gaming has emerged as a significant cultural phenomenon worldwide, with Australian high school students increasingly participating in this digital activity.
Next, provide more specific details about the topic you will explore, and explain its importance and relevance.
Example
While gaming can offer entertainment and foster social connections, there is growing concern about its potential mental health impacts, especially when gaming becomes excessive. Understanding these impacts is crucial, as they can influence students' academic performance, social relationships, and overall well-being.
Following this, clearly state the aim of your review, also known as your 'thesis statement'.
Example
This literature review aims to critically analyse existing research on the mental health effects of excessive online gaming among Australian high school students, identifying key findings and highlighting gaps in the current literature.
Finally, define the scope of your review. Specify what will be covered and how it will be approached.
Example
The review will focus on studies conducted over the past decade, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative research, to provide a comprehensive overview of this pressing issue.
The body
This is where you explore your topic in detail. The information that you found in your research is presented, showing the most relevant and important themes, ideas and studies. You highlight the areas of agreement and disagreement between authors and researchers and include your own perspective. Where possible, identify any potential gaps in information.
Things to note:
Your body paragraphs should begin with a topic sentence that tells the reader the purpose of the paragraph.
In your body paragraphs, it is important to use linking words and phrases to show how different ideas connect with each other.
Body paragraphs often end with a concluding sentence that briefly summarises the information from the paragraph.
Example
Research has consistently shown that excessive online gaming can have adverse effects on the mental health of high school students. For instance, Nguyen (2021) found that students who engage in prolonged gaming sessions often experience higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to their peers. Similarly, Hassan et al. (2022) emphasise that excessive gaming can lead to social withdrawal, which further exacerbates feelings of loneliness and isolation among adolescents. In agreement with these findings, O'Connor (2023) highlights that the immersive nature of online games can contribute to addictive behaviours, ultimately impacting students' emotional well-being and academic performance. Collectively, these studies underscore the potential negative mental health implications of excessive online gaming among high school students.
However, not all researchers concur with these conclusions. Kimura (2021) argues that online gaming can serve as a valuable outlet for stress relief and social interaction, offering benefits that may outweigh potential negative impacts. Furthermore, Rodriguez (2022) points out that the context in which gaming occurs is crucial, suggesting that when balanced with other activities, gaming does not necessarily lead to adverse mental health outcomes. Additionally, Ahmad (2023) challenges the notion of gaming addiction, proposing that the majority of players engage in gaming as a healthy, recreational activity without significant negative effects. These contrasting perspectives highlight the complexity of the issue and suggest that further research is needed to fully understand the varied impacts of online gaming on adolescent mental health.
Conclusion
After reading your review, there will be some things that your audience will forget. The conclusion is your opportunity to remind them about your key points and concepts so that they will go away with these things in mind.
In your conclusion, you should:
restate the research aim from your introduction. This should be paraphrased; do not use the same words.
summarise the key points and concepts covered
suggest areas for future study based on what has been uncovered by your review
Example
In summary, this literature review critically assessed the mental health impacts of excessive online gaming on Australian high school students, identifying key findings and gaps in the research. The review highlighted a general agreement that excessive gaming is associated with negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. However, it also presented differing views, with some studies suggesting potential benefits of gaming for stress relief and social interaction when balanced with other activities. The research also revealed that themes like addiction and academic performance are significant, and showed how understanding has evolved in response to technological and social changes.
Future studies should consider longitudinal research to explore the long-term effects of gaming. Additionally, investigating individual differences and expanding the scope to include diverse cultural contexts within Australia could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.
