Review of the Literature in a Field

A review of the literature in a field requires you to research information and then summarize and paraphrase. The purpose of a review is to show that you can find and understand the important professional literature in a particular field of study.

A literature review differs from a research paper. A research paper adds another step to the finding, understanding, and rewording of the information that you do in a literature review. A research paper adds the step of synthesizing the information and developing your own insight or analysis or argument on a topic or issue that the information presents.