Critical reflections of academic literature

This chapter provides insights on what a literature review entails. It highlights the need for acknowledging and providing a critical analysis of the findings of prior related studies which then serve as the foundation on which your study will be constructed. Some of the major sources for obtaining academic literature and the processes involved in identifying and selecting literature are outlined. The chapter also provides some important guidelines for how to make the literature review a product of critical reflection and not just a descriptive summary of prior studies. It further stresses the importance of coherence, conciseness, careful reasoning and clarity of argument.