How to Conduct a Literature Review for a Capstone Project

A literature review provides a comprehensive summary of existing research on your topic. Here’s how to conduct one:

1. Identify Key Sources: Use academic databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, and your university library to find scholarly articles, books, and conference papers.
2. Summarize Key Findings: Provide a brief overview of each source, focusing on key findings, methodologies, and conclusions.
3. Identify Gaps: Highlight any gaps in the existing literature or areas that require further research.
4. Synthesize Information: Organize the literature based on themes or methodologies to create a coherent narrative of the research landscape.
5. Critique Sources: Evaluate the quality, relevance, and methodology of the sources you’ve reviewed.

Capstone Project Research Methodology Explained

Your methodology section should explain how you will conduct your research. There are two main types of research methodologies:

• Qualitative Research: Involves non-numerical data like interviews, case studies, and observations. It’s used for understanding concepts, experiences, or social phenomena.
• Quantitative Research: Involves numerical data and statistical analysis. It’s used for testing hypotheses, measuring variables, or analyzing trends.