Literature Review Instructions

1. Define Your Research Question

Identify a topic or question within International Relations that you want to explore.

Ensure your question is clear, focused, and researchable.

2. Conduct a Preliminary Search

Use academic databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, and your university’s library resources.

Identify key terms and concepts related to your topic.

3. Gather Sources

Collect a variety of sources, including books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and reputable online resources.

Ensure the sources are relevant, recent, and credible.

4. Evaluate Sources

Assess the credibility, relevance, and bias of each source.

Look for seminal works and recent studies to comprehensively view the topic.

5. Organise Your Findings

Group your sources by themes, methodologies, or theoretical approaches.

Create an annotated bibliography summarising the key points of each source.

6. Analyse and Synthesise

Compare and contrast the findings from different sources.

Identify gaps in the literature, areas of agreement, and debates.

7. Structure Your Review

Introduction

: Present your research question and the scope of your review.

Body

: Organise the body into sections based on themes or chronological order.

Thematic Approach

: Discuss sources grouped by themes.

Chronological Approach

: Discuss sources in the order they were published.

Conclusion

: Summarize the main findings, highlight gaps, and suggest areas for future research.

8. Write Your Review

Start with a draft and focus on clarity and coherence.

Use academic language and ensure your arguments are well-supported by evidence.

Cite all sources properly using

APA 7th.

9. Revise and Edit

Review your draft for clarity, coherence, and logical flow.

Check for grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors.

Seek feedback from peers or advisors and make necessary revisions.

10. Submit Your Review

Ensure your final document meets all the submission guidelines

Submit your literature review by the deadline.

Minimum of 15 references