Literature Review
A Literature Review is a comprehensive summary and analysis of existing research on a specific topic. It's like a research detective work where researchers gather, evaluate, and explain what other experts have already discovered about a subject. Think of it as creating a detailed map of existing knowledge to help guide new research. When candidates mention this on their resume, it shows they can gather information systematically, analyze complex materials, and identify gaps in current knowledge. This skill is valuable not just in academic settings, but also in business research, market analysis, and any field requiring thorough background research.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted a Literature Review on renewable energy trends for a government research project
Authored comprehensive Literature Reviews for three major pharmaceutical studies
Led team in completing systematic Literature Review analyzing customer behavior patterns
Typical job title: "Research Associates"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Research Associates
Academic Communities
Professional Networks
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: Can you describe a complex literature review you've led and how you ensured its quality?
Expected Answer: Look for answers showing experience in managing large-scale reviews, training others, developing review protocols, and ensuring consistency across multiple reviewers. They should mention quality control measures and how they handled challenges.
Q: How do you determine if a literature review needs updating, and how would you manage that process?
Expected Answer: Should discuss monitoring new publications, setting update schedules, efficient ways to incorporate new findings, and how to maintain the integrity of the original review while adding new information.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you organize and manage information when conducting a literature review?
Expected Answer: Should mention using reference management tools, creating summary tables, tracking key findings, and having a systematic approach to categorizing and synthesizing information.
Q: What steps do you take to ensure you haven't missed any important sources?
Expected Answer: Should discuss using multiple databases, checking reference lists, consulting experts, and using different search terms to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic steps you follow when starting a literature review?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe defining the research question, identifying keywords, searching databases, and basic screening of articles for relevance.
Q: How do you determine if a source is reliable and appropriate for inclusion?
Expected Answer: Should mention checking publication credentials, peer review status, citation counts, and relevance to the research question.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic database searching
- Source evaluation
- Summary writing
- Reference management
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced search strategies
- Quality assessment of sources
- Data extraction methods
- Analysis synthesis
Senior (5+ years)
- Review methodology design
- Team coordination
- Quality control processes
- Publication strategy
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain basic search strategies
- No experience with reference management tools
- Lack of understanding about source evaluation
- Poor writing and synthesis skills
- No knowledge of research databases
Related Terms
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