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What a critical literature review demonstrates

A critical literature review demonstrates broad understanding, simultaneous consideration of multiple sources, and visible critical thinking.

Notes

A critical literature review makes several research abilities visible. Broad reading helps a researcher understand the topic and locate the new work within existing knowledge. The finished review must also show that the writer can hold and compare several sources at once. Because markers can reward only what appears on the page, those comparisons and critical analysis must be expressed explicitly.