Literature reviews are a completely different style of writing where a writer tends to explain views of different authors by highlighting the main areas and then giving further information about specific research.

A literature review includes views and opinions of different authors and a scientific review includes diverse blends of topics and research’ that are highlighted as main points and can be used for future research and experiments.

Like every literature reviews, essay writing style and articles, a scientific literature review also have some steps that need to be followed for perfection.

Let’s start the detailing by understanding some common yet important steps of writing a scientific literature review.

1- Define the scope of your article and research

Writing on any scientific topic includes a variety of details and sometimes these details tend to be unnecessary. A writer must always find a scope before writing down his literature review.

Jot down all the topics together. Distinguish between what should and what should not be included in the review. Once you are habitual of jotting down every necessary point you want to add in your review, then your research would be more specific and to the point instead of wandering around unnecessary subjects.

Start your scope by defining the importance of the topic and moving on the essential part, describe the rest details and comparisons’ of your research from different perspectives.

2- Discussion of research

In a normal literature review, a writer is supposed to include various perspectives of different authors; but in a scientific literature review, a writer must discuss his point of views too.

Every other person who surrounds your research has an expertise. No matter, these expertise does not match your research completely but still can prove to be very helpful for future assistance.

By knowing different perspectives of your lab mates and collaborations, you will be able to bring perfectionism in your review and will have access to future advances in your research.

3- Check for similar previous articles about your research.

Every research has hundreds and thousands of aspects that need to be covered and it is not necessary that you are the first person to focus on that particular area of research or experiment. It is possible that the specific area or an area similar to that must have been covered by another person.

Well! If this is the case then there is no need to panic. It’s not necessary for you to drop your particular area of research, only because it’s already done by someone else. All you have to do is to be focused on what points you want to cover in your research. Do not right exactly what the previous article says. Try to describe the experiment and review in your own perspective and experience, but with it, you may consider that previous research as a handful of information that could help you for future assistance.

4- Point of Concentration

Scientific literature reviews are comparatively hard to write than normal literature reviews. So focus on your point of concentration. Take a break when necessary.

5- Collect references and raw material

Every writer must first collect references, other similar researches and raw materials regarding the specific topic.

Collecting the references raw material and summarizing it roughly on a paper helps you focus on the points you want to cover and makes it less difficult for you to include unnecessary details that can make your literature view sound boring and uninformative.

6- Draft your ideas

Once you are done with jotting down the main ideas and particular point of interest from the references, you need to prepare a draft of your review. Write as much as you want either on paper, in Words file or in PDF format file. But write and save it constantly for further edits. Check this draft, read and re-read the draft for edits and inclusion of other important points.

7- Include your views

Include your ideas. If you feel that your research needs more amendments and further assistance, then don’t be shy to include it at the end of your research. It may help other scientific writers to carry on their analysis on the similar research topic with advancement.

DISCLAIMER: All the images have been taken from Google as references.