Reflection: What skills do I need to work on, to be able to write a good literature review?

One of my most challenging tasks in writing a high-quality literature review is my ability to incorporate articles that contradict my argument and use them to strengthen my position. Additionally, mastering efficient literature search techniques and refining my communication skills are pivotal to crafting a well-structured and persuasive literature review.

An essential part of writing a good literature review is the ability to incorporate articles that are contradictory to my argument and use them to strengthen my position. This requires a nuanced understanding of the topic and the ability to engage with opposing viewpoints in a balanced and respectful manner. I need to improve my skills in critically analysing opposing research, understanding the context in which it was conducted, and finding ways to address or refute its claims. This will involve a deep dive into the methodologies and theoretical frameworks of contradictory studies, identifying any potential flaws or alternative interpretations, and clearly articulating why my argument remains valid despite the opposing evidence.

I also recognise that writing a good literature review requires me to become more proficient in conducting thorough and efficient literature searches. This includes mastering various research databases and using advanced search techniques. At the beginning of the course, I was almost exclusively reliant on Google Scholar for my literature searches, which doesn’t have a consensual appreciation among scholars. Though I have now learnt how to use keywords to search in more established academic databases, I am not confident enough use these databases as my main literature search databases. I’ve found great value in Pautasso’s (2013) suggestion to keep track of search items that you are using and to explore previous reviews as well.

Additionally, my communication skills in my writing are an ongoing competency that I wish to master this year. I am aware that I need to imbed my own voice in any piece of writing. This however needs to maintain a logical structure, ensuring that each section flows smoothly into the next, and that my argument is easy to follow. This includes writing strong topic sentences, using transitions effectively, and maintaining a clear and consistent voice throughout a literature review. It is especially important that I avoid jargon and ideas that are unnecessarily difficult or are common in a specific discipline.

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References

Pautasso, M. (2013). Ten simple rules for writing a literature review. PLoS Comput Biol, 9(7), e1003149. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003149