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What is a Review Paper?

A review paper is a synthesis of primary sources (mainly research papers presented in academic journals) on a given topic. A biological review paper demonstrates that the writer has thorough understanding of the literature and can formulate a useful analysis. While no new research is presented by the writer, the field benefits from the review by recieving a new perspective. There are several approaches one may take when writing a biological review:

• A State of the art review
• A Historical review
• A Comparison of perspectives review
• A Synthesis of two fields review
• A Theoretical model building review
  

  A state of the art review

  A state of the art review considers mainly the most current research in a given area. The review may offer new perspectives on an issue or point out an area in need of further research.

  

  A Historical review

  A historical review is a survey of the development of a particular field of study. It may examine the early stages of the field, key findings to present, key theoretical models and their evolution, etc.

  

  A Comparison of perspectives review

  A comparison of perspectives review contrasts various ways of looking at a certain topic. If in fact there is a debate over some process or idea, a comparison of perspectives review may illustrate the research that supports both sides. A comparison of perspectives review may introduce a new perspective by way of comparing it to another.

  

  A Synthesis of two fields review

  Many times researchers in different fields may be working on similar problems. A synthesis of two fields review provides insights into a given topic based on a review of the literature from two or more disciplines.

  

  A Theoretical model building review

  A theoretical model building review examines the literature within a given area with the intention of developing new theoretical assumptions.

  

  Key considerations for writing a biological review paper

  This guide will inform you of certain things not to miss when writing a review paper. It will also give you some information about using and documenting your sources.

  Key considerations when writing a review paper

  • Keep your focus narrow.
  • Analyze, synthesize, and interpret.
  • Use only academic sources.
  • Document your sources.
  • Quote sparingly and properly.
  • Choose an informative title.
  • Consider your audience.
  

  Keep your focus narrow.

  When writing a review paper it is important to keep the scope of the topic narrow enough so that you can discuss it thoroughly. For example a topic such as air quality in factories could be narrowed significantly to something like carbon dioxide levels in auto manufacturing plants.

  A good way to narrow your focus is to start with a broad topic that is of some interest to you, then read some of the literature in the field. Look for a thread of the discussion that points to a more specific topic.

  For more information on narrowing your focus visit the Writing Center's Guide on Focus. This link will open a new browser window.

  

  Analyze, synthesize, and interpret.

  A review paper is not a pure summary of the information you read for your review. You are required to analyze, synthesize, and interpret the information you read in some meaningful way.

  It is not enough to simply present the material you have found, you must go beyond that and explain its relevance and significance to the topic at hand.

  Establish a clear thesis from the onset of your writing and examine which pieces of your reading help you in developing and supporting the ideas in your thesis.

  

  Use only academic sources.

  A review paper reviews the academic body of literature—articles and research presented in academic journals. Lay periodicals such as, Discover, Scientific America, or Popular Science, are not adequate sources for an academic review paper.

  If you are having trouble finding the academic journals in your field, ask one of your professors or a reference librarian.

  

  Document your sources.

  The material that you discuss in a review paper is obviously not your own, therefore it is crucial to document your sources properly. Proper documentation is crucial for two reasons: 1. It prevents the writer from being accused of plagiarism and 2. It gives the reader the opportunity to locate the sources the writer has reviewed because they may find them valuable in their own academic pursuits.

  Proper documentation depends on which style guide you are following. For more information on style guides and documenting your sources visit the References section of this guide.

  

  Quote sparingly and properly.

  No one wants to read a paper that is simply a string of quotes; reserve direct quotations for when you want to create a big impact. Often times the way a quote is written will not fit with the language or the style of your paper so paraphrase the authors words carefully and verbage as necessary to create a well formed paragraph.

  For more information on quoting and paraphrasing properly visit the Writing Center's Guide on Quoting From a Source. This link will open a new browser window.

  

  Choose an informative title.

  The title you choose for your review paper should give some indication of what lies ahead for the reader. You might consider the process you took in narrowing your topic to help you with your title—think of the title as something specific rather than a vague representation of your paper's topic. For example the title Wastewater Treatment might be more informative if rewritten as The Removal of Cloroform Bacteria as Practiced by California's Municipal Water Treatment Facilities.

  

  Consider your audience.

  More than likely your audience will be your academic peers, therefore you can make a couple assumptions and choose a writing style that suits the audience. Though your audience may lack the detailed knowledge you have about your topic, they do have similar background knowledge to you. You can assume that you audience understands much of the technical language you have to use to write about your topic and you do not have to go into great detail about background information.

  For more information on audience visit the Writing Center's Guide on Audience. This link will open a new browser window.

  

  Elements of a review paper

  This guide explains each section of a review paper and gives specific information about what should be included in each.

  The main sections of a review paper are listed below, to view more detailed information about each, click on the link, or select from the table of contents to the left:
  

  • Title Page
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • References
  

  Title Page

  On the title page include the title, your name, and the date. Your instructor may have additional requirements (such as the course number, etc.) so be sure to follow the guidelines on the assignment sheet. Professional journals may also have more specific requirements for the title page.

  

  Abstract

  An abstract is a brief summary of your review. The abstract should include only the main points of your review. Think of the abstract as a chance for the reader to preview your paper and decide if they want to read on for the details.

  

  Introduction

  The introduction of your review should accomplish three things:

  • Introduce your topic
  • State your topic's relevance
  • Reveal your thesis to the reader
  

  Discussion

  The discussion section is the body of your paper. The discussion section contains information that develops and supports your thesis. While there is no particular form that a discussion section must take there are several considerations that a writer must follow when building a discussion.

  • Don't summarize!
  • Analyze, Synthesize, Interpret.
  • Stay focused.
  • Organize your points.
  • Relate the discussion to your thesis.
  

  Conclusions

  Because the conclusions section often gets left for last it is often the weakest part of a student review paper. It is as crucial a part of the paper as any and should be treated as such.

  A good conclusion should illustrate the key connections between your major points and your thesis as well as they key connections between your thesis and the broader discussion—what is the significance of your paper in a larger context? Make some conclusions—where have you arrived as a result of writing this paper?

  Be careful not to present any new information in the conclusion section.

  

  References

  Here you report all the works you have cited in your paper. The format for a references page varies by discipline as does how you should cite your references within the paper. Ask your professor which style you should be following. Links to common style guides are listed below:

  • The Columbia Guide to Online Style
  • The Modern Language Association Style Guide
  • The American Psychological Association Style Guide