Literature Reviews
A literature review synthesises credible, previously published work on a particular topic or issue. It brings together findings from multiple sources to help you understand the current state of knowledge, identify important gaps, and make informed decisions about your next steps.
Whether you are scoping a new project, designing a study, preparing a proposal, or trying to navigate a complex evidence landscape, a literature review provides a clear and structured foundation.
What a Literature Review Helps You Achieve
Approaches & Formats
Depth & Deliverables
A literature review offers the depth and clarity needed to move forward with confidence
By analysing and synthesising published research, a literature review can help you understand what is already known, where uncertainties remain, and how different studies approach the issue. This can support decision-making, strengthen methodologies, inspire new ideas, and reveal perspectives you may not have considered.
Literature reviews can be descriptive, analytical, critical, or a blend
Depending on your needs, a review may:
map developments over time
analyse how different studies approach a question
highlight methodological strengths and limitations
explore emerging themes or areas of consensus
identify competing lines of argument
summarise the most recent and significant contributions
Common formats include chronological reviews (tracking changes over time), methodological reviews (focusing on how studies were conducted), and state-of-the-art reviews (highlighting the most recent and influential work). Many projects incorporate elements of more than one format.
Literature reviews are typically more detailed and analytical than shorter briefings
The scope and length depend on your goals — from targeted reviews that support internal planning to comprehensive analyses intended for publication or strategic use. All reviews include a clear structure, narrative synthesis, and references to the sources consulted.
If you need something shorter or faster, you may be better suited to a Literature Scan or Evidence Briefing, which provides plain-language summaries of individual papers on an ad-hoc or ongoing basis.
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I’d love to chat about your research or writing needs