How To Write A Survey Paper

Writing a survey paper involves summarizing and synthesizing existing literature on a particular topic
to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the state of the art. Here are the general steps
you can follow to write a survey paper:

1. Choose a Topic:

Select a specific and well-defined topic for your survey paper. Ensure that the topic
has enough existing research and literature to review.
2. Conduct a Literature Review:

Gather relevant research papers, articles, books, and other scholarly sources related to
your chosen topic.
Use academic databases, such as PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, and others,
to find relevant literature.
3. Organize Your Material:

Categorize the literature into themes, concepts, or methodologies. This will help you
identify common threads and trends in the existing research.
4. Create an Outline:

Develop a clear and logical outline for your survey paper. Common sections include:
Introduction: Introduce the topic and the importance of the survey.
Background: Provide necessary background information on the topic.
Scope and Objectives: Define the scope and objectives of your survey.
Main Body: Divide this section into thematic sub-sections based on your
categorization.
Comparison and Analysis: Analyze and compare the literature, identifying
trends, gaps, and areas of disagreement.
Conclusion: Summarize the key findings and suggest future research
directions.
5. Write the Introduction:

Clearly state the purpose and importance of your survey.

Define the scope and boundaries of your survey.
6. Write the Background:

Provide essential background information to give readers context for understanding

the surveyed literature.
7. Develop the Main Body:

Organize your survey into thematic sections, each addressing a specific aspect or
sub-topic.
For each subsection, summarize the relevant literature, discussing key findings and
methodologies.
8. Comparison and Analysis:

Analyze and compare the literature within and across different sub-sections.
Identify trends, commonalities, differences, and any unresolved issues.
 9. Write the Conclusion:

Summarize the main findings of your survey.

Discuss the implications of the surveyed literature for the field.
Identify gaps in the existing research and suggest potential avenues for future work.
10. Cite Sources Properly:

Ensure proper citation of all the sources you refer to in your survey paper.
Use a consistent citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) as per the requirements of
the publication or your institution.
11. Proofread and Revise:

Proofread your survey paper for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.
Revise and refine your paper based on feedback from peers or mentors.

Remember that a good survey paper not only summarizes existing literature but also provides
insights and critical analysis. It should serve as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners
interested in the topic you are covering.