Writing a Literature Review

Gerard Lee L. See, RPh, PhD, SRPharmS

SCIENTIA Ÿ VIRTUS Ÿ DEVOTIO D E PA RT M E N T O F P H A R M ACY PHAR RES 3107L

Literature Review
„A literature review is an account of what has been
published on a topic by accredited scholars and
researchers.
„In writing the literature review, your purpose is to convey to
your reader what knowledge and ideas have been
established on a topic, and what their strengths and
weaknesses are.

SCIENTIA Ÿ VIRTUS Ÿ DEVOTIO D E PA RT M E N T O F P H A R M ACY 2

Literature Review
„A literature review must do these things:
- a) be organized around and related directly to the thesis or
research question you are developing
- b) synthesize results into a summary of what is and is not
known
- c) identify areas of controversy in the literature
- d) formulate questions that need further research

SCIENTIA Ÿ VIRTUS Ÿ DEVOTIO D E PA RT M E N T O F P H A R M ACY 3

Literature Review
„There are various approaches to organizing the body of a
literature review.
„You should have a rough idea of your strategy before you
start writing.
„You can combine several of these strategies (for example,
your overall structure might be thematic, but each theme is
discussed chronologically).

SCIENTIA Ÿ VIRTUS Ÿ DEVOTIO D E PA RT M E N T O F P H A R M ACY 4

Literature Review
„ Research Topic: Characterization and Evaluation of
Pectin as a Suspending Agent
„ I. Brief Introduction „ V. Characteristics of Pectin
„ II. Excipients - a. Presence of amide
- b. Ash content
„ III. Pharmaceutical Suspensions
- c. Identification of carbohydrates
„ IV. Suspending Agents
- d. Moisture content
- a. Sedimentation volume
- e. Methoxyl content
- b. Viscosity
- f. Equivalent weight
- c. Degree of Flocculation
- g. Degree of esterification
- d. Flow Rate
„ VI. Characteristics of Suspending Agents
- e. Redispersibility
- f. pH „ VII. Other Related Studies
„ VIII. Conclusion

SCIENTIA Ÿ VIRTUS Ÿ DEVOTIO D E PA RT M E N T O F P H A R M ACY 5