Literature Review Basics for Students: From Research Question to Writing

Build a strong literature review: craft a question, select resources, search effectively, manage citations, and conduct your review.

This session will introduce students to strategies for completing a literature review. The session will include tips and guidance on developing and refining a research question, choosing databases, advanced searching techniques, using citation management tools for organizing materials, and tips on constructing a review. The content will apply to literature reviews for short papers to articles to dissertations and more.

This session is restricted to Northwestern faculty, students, and staff, please register with your Northwestern email address and use your Northwestern Zoom account to attend. This session will be presented virtually over Zoom by Jason Kruse, Undergraduate Engagement Librarian. Register to receive connection information.

Northwestern University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all events and programs. Accommodations such as sign language interpreters and accessible presentation materials in alternate formats are provided upon request. Please contact Anne Sticksel at amsticksel@northwestern.edu or 847-491-2922 by Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Every reasonable effort will be made to implement accommodations in an effective and timely manner.