Literature

How it is used

Usually used with the: the literature on motivation, the existing literature, a gap in the literature. Researchers review, search or contribute to the literature. In this sense it is uncountable.

Example sentences

1. The literature on bilingual education has grown rapidly since 2010.

2. This study contributes to the literature by focusing on rural schools.

Common collocations

• the existing literature
• the literature on
• review the literature
• contribute to the literature
• a gap in the literature

Related terms

• literature reviewA critical summary of what has already been published on a topic, showing the main ideas, debates and gaps that a new study responds to.
• research gapA question, group, context or problem that existing studies have not yet addressed well, which a new study aims to fill.
• seminalDescribing a work, study or idea that was highly original and has strongly influenced later research in a field.
• theoretical frameworkThe theory or set of connected theories that a study uses to explain its problem, shape its questions and interpret its findings.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• literature · Literature

More terms: Literature Review

• synthesize
• draw on
• build on
• primary source
• secondary source
• systematic review
• database
• meta-analysis
• body of literature
• consensus
• critique