It can be difficult to know where to start when writing an academic review. Are you writing a critical review, literature review, critical literature review, peer review – which is it? It’s so confusing!
There are many overlapping terms for academic reviews featuring applied critical thinking. When planning your work, it may be useful to know which you’re being asked to do, and what shape your project will take. Despite their similar names – and the fact that some terms are used interchangeably online – these academic reviews are all subtly different.
Here’s how to tell them apart:
Critical review (aka a “critique”)
Here we summarise the arguments and conclusions in one particular article, then evaluate the validity of its conclusions by referring to other studies (sometimes known as “the literature”). Rather than listing these studies, we need to “weave together” or synthesize their arguments, which may support or contradict the article. We come to our own balanced conclusion on the validity and value of the article, highlighting any bias as we go. (I have a blog on how to write a critical review)
Literature review
This is a more straightforward summary of important and relevant studies around a particular topic, idea or hypothesis. There is no critical evaluation here, just an unbiased appraisal of what is out there in the literature. This often forms part of the introduction to a larger piece of work like a dissertation or thesis.
Critical literature review
A literature review with critical evaluation of the conclusions from multiple studies. This is often a much larger project, perhaps even an entire dissertation. Reaching our own conclusions often requires evaluating the data and research methods in multiple studies, and so skills in data interpretation and statistical analysis are essential.
Peer review
Similar to critical appraisal in a clinical setting, peer review requires experience and skill to rigorously evaluate the data, methods, analysis and conclusions in one particular study, paying close attention to the design of the experiments, how they were conducted and the strength of the data. Peer review often results in a recommendation for further studies to better support a conclusion.
Your assignment or piece of work may blur the lines between these definitions. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like some help – I specialise in helping students with applied critical thing, proof-reading and planning.
All the best,
John
Dr John Ankers
Specialist critical thinking tutor
