Academic research requires a thorough investigation into the body of literature that has been published – and sometimes even unpublished – about a given topic. You must examine and refer to scholarly sources when completing academic assignments (unless otherwise indicated by your instructor). Referring to scholarly sources will:
- Add depth to your understanding.
- Strengthen your argument.
- Reduce bias and misconceptions.
START FIRST with the library website. Library resources are built around your program, are screened and verified for credibility, provide targeted results using advanced search, are copyright licensed and freely available to the Sheridan community for most educational purposes.
A literature review summarizes existing scholarly research on a topic from peer-reviewed articles, books, dissertations, and other sources. The reviewer searches for important research in a particular area of study, and then recaps their key findings in the article. It’s important to note that a literature review doesn’t simply describe what academic sources say on the topic.
Follow this FAQ Guide to learn about: