What is a Literature Review? Explained with a REAL Example | Scribbr 🎓

About this video

• Video Title: What is a Literature Review? Explained with a REAL Example | Scribbr 🎓
• Channel: Scribbr
• Speakers: Jessica
• Duration: 00:01:40

Overview

This video explains what a literature review is in an academic context. It defines a literature review as a critical recap of existing research on a topic, using a real-world example to illustrate its purpose and importance. The video outlines three main reasons for conducting a literature review: to understand what is already known and how it's been researched, to provide a critical overview of existing knowledge and show how new research fits in, and to identify gaps in current knowledge to contribute something original.

Key takeaways

• Definition: A literature review is a critical summary of previous research on a specific topic, drawing from sources like books and journal articles.
• Purpose 1: Foundation: It helps identify what is already known about a topic and the methodologies used by other researchers.
• Purpose 2: Context: It offers readers a critical overview of existing knowledge, demonstrating how the current research fits within the broader academic landscape.
• Purpose 3: Originality: It highlights gaps in current research, allowing for the identification of an original contribution to the field.
• Example: The video uses the research problem "What does social media do to the younger generation’s mental health?" to illustrate how a literature review can lead to a narrowed focus, such as the impact on body image or eating disorders in a specific age group.