This module introduces the purpose and structure of literature reviews in psychology and develops the skills needed to search for, evaluate and synthesise academic evidence. Students will learn to conduct advanced database searches, critically appraise empirical research and use digital tools such as reference managers. Ethical principles and research governance are explored to support the development of appropriate research questions. Students will also undertake guided literature review tasks, enabling them to practise evidence evaluation and collaborative scholarly work. Throughout the module, emphasis is placed on reflective practice, identifying gaps in knowledge and building confidence for progression to carry out an independent literature review.

Students will complete a two-part assessment comprising:

A 10-minute presentation in which the student reports the processes and outcomes of their literature search, including justification of their search strategy, evaluation of selected sources, and a preliminary synthesis of key findings relevant to their chosen topic. After the presentation students will be asked a small number of questions (approximately 5 minutes) that require them to reflect on their individual academic decisions and their engagement in scholarly discussion and peer interaction during the literature review process.

An annotated bibliography in which students will provide an overview of key published research papers on the topic of the literature review. This will consist of a summary of each studies aims, methods, results, conclusions and their usefulness in the context of the literature review. Guidance on how many studies to include will be given by the tutor.

Students will also be guided to complete formative tasks to receive peer and tutor formative feedback, which will take the form of tasks, reading and in-class activities to inform discussions and evaluations of how perform a literature review.

Sessions will include lectures, workshop activities, discussions, groupwork and drop-in support sessions. Some sessions will be asynchronous.

1. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of how psychological theories and empirical findings are represented, contested, and developed within peer-reviewed literature, with attention to methodological quality.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Critically synthesise findings from multiple psychological studies and communicate coherent, evidence-based arguments, both individually and collaboratively.

Critical Reasoning & Collaboration Communication

3. Conduct systematic literature searches using psychological databases and digital research tools and manage sources effectively using reference management software.

Digital Literacy

4. Formulate and critically evaluate ethically sound, desk-based research questions for psychological literature reviews, demonstrating awareness of research governance and ethical considerations in literature review research.

Research Skills

Hempel, S. (2020) Conducting your literature review. American Psychological Association, pp. 3–9. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/0000155-001.

This provides a concise introduction to how psychological research is identified, evaluated, and synthesised, directly supporting the module learning outcomes on understanding how empirical findings are represented in the literature and on conducting systematic, ethical desk-based research.

Cherry, M. Gemma., Boland, A. and Dickson, Rumona. (eds) (2023) Doing a systematic review a student’s guide. Third edition. Los Angeles: SAGE. Available at:
https://www.vlebooks.com/product/openreader?id=StaffsUni&accId=8398653&isbn=9781529615289.

Provides guidance on planning, conducting, and reporting systematic literature reviews, supporting the module learning outcomes related to systematic searching, critical synthesis of multiple studies, research governance, and the ethical development of literature review research questions.

This module develops the essential skills needed to undertake effective literature reviews in psychology and prepares students for the independent literature reviewing. Students will learn how to locate, evaluate and synthesise psychological evidence, apply digital research tools, and engage with key theoretical and conceptual issues across the discipline. Through guided research tasks and structured reflection, students will build confidence in formulating research questions, identifying gaps in knowledge, and working ethically within psychological inquiry.