Free Literature Review Checklist Template
Literature Review Checklist
1. Preparation
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Define the topic: Ensure that the literature review is focused on a clear, specific research question or topic.
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Search strategy: Have you defined a strategy for selecting sources (e.g., keywords, databases, journals)?
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Inclusion and exclusion criteria: Are the criteria for selecting studies clear (e.g., date range, relevance, quality of studies)?
2. Source Identification
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Comprehensive search: Have you searched a variety of sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journals, books, conference proceedings, dissertations)?
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Key databases: Have you used relevant academic databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Scopus)?
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Document sources: Have you kept a record of all sources used (e.g., citations, abstracts)?
3. Source Evaluation
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Quality and reliability: Are the sources from credible, peer-reviewed publications?
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Relevance to topic: Are the sources directly related to your research question or topic?
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Recent studies: Have you included recent studies and avoided outdated or irrelevant papers?
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Theoretical or methodological quality: Have you evaluated the quality of studies in terms of their methodology and theoretical framework?
4. Organization and Structure
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Introduction: Have you introduced the research question, the importance of the topic, and the purpose of the review?
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Themes and categories: Is the literature grouped into relevant themes or categories?
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Chronological or thematic structure: Have you organized the review in a logical structure, either chronologically or thematically?
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Synthesis: Have you synthesized findings from various studies rather than just summarizing them?
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Gap identification: Have you identified gaps or limitations in the current literature?
5. Critical Analysis
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Comparisons: Have you compared and contrasted different authors' viewpoints and findings?
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Strengths and weaknesses: Have you evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of different studies?
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Bias and limitations: Have you addressed any potential biases or limitations in the studies reviewed?
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Contradictions: Have you discussed any contradictory findings or debates in the literature?
6. Conclusion
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Summary of findings: Have you summarized the key findings of the literature review?
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Research gaps: Have you identified areas where further research is needed?
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Contribution to the field: Have you discussed how the review contributes to the current understanding of the topic?
7. References and Citations
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Correct citation style: Are all references cited correctly according to the required citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago)?
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Complete reference list: Have you included all sources cited in the text in the reference list?
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Consistency: Are the citations and references consistent and formatted correctly throughout?
8. Writing Quality
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Clarity and coherence: Is the writing clear, logical, and easy to follow?
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Conciseness: Have you avoided unnecessary repetition or excessive detail?
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Grammar and style: Is the writing grammatically correct and consistent with academic writing standards?
9. Final Review
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Check for gaps: Have you reviewed the literature to ensure you haven’t missed any important studies?
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Review of relevance: Are all the included studies still relevant and up-to-date?
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Peer review: Have you considered having a peer or supervisor review your literature review for feedback?