This week focused on one of the most important parts of any research project: understanding how to build a literature review and why it matters. We talked about how a literature review is not just a list of books or articles, but a structured way to show what has already been written about your topic and how your research fits into that conversation.
I learned that a strong literature review needs a clear structure. Instead of going source by source, it should be organised around key themes or concepts related to the research question. Using headings or strong topic sentences helps guide the reader and makes the argument easier to follow. It was helpful to think of the literature review as telling a story about existing research—where the discussion starts, how ideas connect, and what gaps still exist.
Another important point was being selective. Not every source needs to be included, only the ones that are directly relevant and come from reliable, recognised academic authors. We also discussed the importance of synthesis and evaluation, meaning that I shouldn’t just describe what each author says, but compare viewpoints, highlight agreements or contradictions, and reflect on how these ideas support or challenge my own argument.
Summaries play a key role as well. They help the reader understand how each section connects to the wider topic and where the research is heading next. This made me realise how important clarity and direction are in academic writing.
We also covered research strategies and methods, which helped me better understand how to approach my topic in a more academic way. Learning about Harvard referencing was especially useful, as it reinforced the importance of correctly crediting sources and maintaining academic integrity.
Overall, this session made academic research feel more structured and less intimidating. It helped me see that writing a literature review is about organising ideas, building connections, and gradually shaping a clear and focused argument rather than just writing long, complicated text.