The literature review

An excellent research project hinges on a good research question, and a good research question requires you to be familiar with previous research and theories. This is why one of the initial tasks associated with a dissertation, a final-year project and other similar research-focused activities is conducting a literature review of previously published work. Typically this would follow on from you having already gained some familiarity with an area from an appropriate textbook where they are available. This chapter describes what is involved in doing a literature review for a qualitative project, however the general principles apply to both qualitative and quantitative focused psychology projects.