Lokmanya Tilak Institute of Architecture and Design Studies

Navi Mumbai
Fifth Year Semester IX AY 2024-2025

Literature Review
What is literature review?
A literature review is both the process and the product. A literature review
is a descriptive, analytic summary of the existing material relating to a
particular topic or area of study. The literature review process involves a
systematic examination of prior scholarly works (unpublished and
published).
Why review a literature?
Reference to prior literature is a defining feature of academic and
research writing. To help you understand a research topic. To establish
the importance of a topic. To help develop your own ideas. To make sure
you are not simply replicating research that others have already
successfully completed. To demonstrate knowledge and show how your
current work is situated within, builds on, or departs from earlier
publications.
Types of Literature review
1) Traditional or Narrative literature Review
Critiques and summarizes a body of literature, Draws conclusions about
the topic, Identifies gaps or inconsistencies in a body of knowledge.
Requires a sufficiently focused research question
Weaknesses: A large number of studies may make it difficult to draw
conclusions. The process is subject to bias that supports the researcher's
own work.

2) Systematic Literature Review

More rigorous and well-defined approach, Comprehensive, Published and
unpublished studies relating to a particular subject area details the time
frame within which the literature was selected. Details the methods used
to evaluate and synthesize findings of the studies in question.
Reference:
1) www.laverne.libguides.com accessed on 1st June 2020 at 8: 00 pm
2) www.tru.cn accessed on 2nd June 2020 at 6:00 pm
 Literature review and its structure

Introduction: This should consist of a concise definition of

topic under consideration, should also include intentional
exclusion and state the general findings of the review,
comment on the availability of the sources in the subject area.
Main body: Having paragraphs with headings. Evaluation of
sources. Each work should be critically summarised and
evaluated. Important to address inconsistencies, omissions and
errors. Use logical connections and transitions to connect
sources.
Main body writing format: (sample)
The nature of architectural design for post-disaster housing is
one that is a ‘considerable challenge’ (Hayles, 2010, p. 103) for
all of those involved in the rebuilding planning process.
However, it is evident that the design of post-disaster housing
is a central part of the architectural world’s agenda, given the
increase in natural disasters over the past two decades. An
analysis of a brief period of the last decade presents a clear
indication of the challenge that is imparted on architects with
the view that ‘the recent Indonesian Earthquake and Indian
Ocean Tsunami (2004), Bam Earthquake (2003) and Gujarat
Earthquake (2001)’ (Boen & Jigyasu, 2005, p. 1) key examples
of how developing countries in particular are impacted by such
events. The literature highlights that a large part of the
challenge in these particular areas is that cultural and social
factors need to be taken into account as well as structural,
safety and economic concerns. A 1995 study by Ladinski found
that following a 1963 earthquake in Skopje, the ‘decision to
protect buildings with technology solely based on earthquake
engineering principles led to damage of integrity, identity and
the originality of the built heritage’ (Awotana, 1997, p. 221).
To place this viewpoint in context, it is apparent that ‘spatial
patterns and architectural features of housing are reflection of
social order and cultural practices in many societies around the
globe’ (Vatsa, 2001, p. 6). This highlights that the architectural
design process is a vital part of the post-disaster rehabilitation
effort and it is necessary for the design to represent both a
respect towards the local culture as well as the need to utilize
new technologies so that sustainability can be achieved in the
design. This is perhaps a difficult balance to achieve and this
forms the main research aim of the entire study. Finally, it has
also been found that due to a lack of economic and
technological resources, it has often been the case that
architectural design processes on post-disaster housing has
been unsafe and unsuitable. It was noted by Boen and Jigyasu
(2005) that there have been numerous cases, especially in the
developing world, where the improper use of technology has
led to poorer housing designs and the failure to ensure
sustainability in certain disaster-hit areas, with the study
noting Guatemala as an extreme case in point. This point
clearly indicates the importance of economic assistance,
allowing architectural designs to use the needed technology
and design to help ensure that safety is guaranteed in the
post-disaster housing.
Conclusion: Summarises the key findings of the review in
general terms. Notable commonalities between works, whether
favourable or not, may be included here. Opportunity to justify
a research proposal. The idea should be clearly restated (if
necessary) and supported according to the findings of the
review.
Reference: Should have a list of complete and correct citation
for every source.
Common sources of literature review – Interviews, official
reports, artefacts, photographs, drawings, research articles,
case studies, dissertation, surveys, original written works,
original research / field work, research published in scholarly
academic journals, internet, empirical / evidence based articles
in scholarly, peer reviewed journals, conference proceedings
and papers.