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SWK 450: Applied Research: The Literature Review

This subject guide will assist you in finding books, journal articles, and websites, as well as assist you in developing your research skills using the recommended resources.

What is a Literature Review

A literature review surveys books, scholarly articles, and any other sources relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, and by so doing, provides a description, summary, and critical evaluation of these works in relation to the research problem being investigated. Literature reviews are designed to provide an overview of sources you have explored while researching a particular topic and to demonstrate to your readers how your research fits within a larger field of study.

Why Do We Write Literature Reviews?

  • Literature reviews can give you an overview or act as a stepping stone. 
  • Literature reviews are useful reports that keep professionals up to date with what is current in his or her field.
  • Literature reviews emphasizes the credibility of the writer in his or her field.
  • Literature reviews provide a solid background for a research paper’s investigation. 
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