A literature (lit for short) review is an in-depth analysis of the academic literature on a topic. How in depth it goes depends very much on the context of the research project. A thesis will have a lengthy critical analysis of the scholarly landscape while a short research paper may only require that you provide some relevant background on the topic at hand. Check with your professor about what is required for your project.
Once you begin collecting resources, it can be challenging to pull them together into a cohesive narrative. The tools below can help you do just that. A Literature Review Matrix is a way to organize and analyze individual pieces of research to find common themes and areas of dis/agreement. It can also help you see gaps in your research. Below that you'll find the BEAM model, a framework for thinking about how a piece of information can best be used in your final project.
| Source Function | Explanation | Examples of Types of Sources | Where you might use it in your paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| B: Background | Factual and noncontroversial information, providing context | Encyclopedia articles, overviews in books, statistics, historical facts | Introduction |
| E: Exhibit/ Evidence | Data, observations, objects, artifacts, documents that can be analyzed | Text of a novel, field observations, focus group transcriptions, questionnaire data, results of an experiment, interview data (primary sources) | Body/Results |
| A: Argument | Critical views from other scholars and commentators; part of the academic conversation | Scholarly articles, books, critical reviews (e.g. literacy criticism), editorials | Body, sometimes in Introduction or in Literature Review |
| M: Method | Reference to methods or theories used, usually explicit though may be implicit; approach or research methodology used | Part of books or articles with reference to theorists (e.g. Foucault, Derrida) or theory (e.g. feminism, post-colonialism, new historicism etc.); information on a research methodology | Methods or referenced in Introduction or Body |
A source may serve more than one function. For instance, a journal article could provide you with background information, exhibits, argument, and method. However, some sources are focused on a single function. For example, an encyclopedia entry is likely to only serve as background information.
Citation: Bizup, Joseph. “BEAM: A Rhetorical Vocabulary for Teaching Research-Based Writing.” Rhetoric Review 27.1 (2008): 72-86.
Credit: This page adapted from "Source Functions: Background, Exhibits, Argument, Method (BEAM)" from the University of California Merced Library.