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Working With Literature

Faculties: BW, SW

Even a so-called literature-based or theoretical paper is an academic work. While in other – empirical – papers, questionnaires are developed and tested, people are observed and interviewed, or interventions are developed and evaluated, here – from the outside – it seems that one “only” reads, thinks, and writes. Yet a literature-based paper involves quite a lot: It provides you with an overview of the state of research in a narrowly defined field. This allows you to evaluate it in order to answer the research question.

As a basis, you first review the theoretical and empirical works in the relevant research field. A methods section is usually omitted in such papers. Your supervisor may request a paragraph on where and how research was conducted; in individual cases, you should ask about this.

The chapters of the results section are structured according to content logic: In the discussion section, you interpret your results with reference to the research question and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of your approach.

Finally, you summarize your work, identify implications, and, if applicable, provide an outlook.

When you work with literature, it is important that you go beyond the literature and, based on your systematic research, develop independent analyses and draw conclusions. For example, you could derive new research needs from the literature, develop an improved definition, create your own model, or formulate practical recommendations.

Other academic papers you will write in Social Science include developing concepts as well as empirical papers of qualitative or quantitative orientation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to do independent work for a literature-based paper?

Yes! It is important in every academic paper that you go beyond the literature and, based on your systematic research, develop independent analyses and draw conclusions.

What characterizes a literature-based paper?

Working with literature provides an overview of the state of research in a narrowly defined research area and evaluates it to answer the research question. As a basis, you first review the theoretical and empirical works in the research field.

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Faculties: BW, SW

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This article was published in August 2025 and last updated in February 2025.

Faculties: BW, SW

Contributors: Carola Gröhlich, Susanne Heidenreich, Maria Noll, Erika von Rautenfeld, Dzifa Vode

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