Book review

This second edition is targeted at postgraduate students researching a thesis or dissertation and aims to develop competent, world-class researchers.

The book is not written specifically for midwives, nurses or healthcare workers; emphasis and examples are often taken from the social sciences. However, as the process of doing a literature review is similar across disciplines, the book relevant to a wide audience. Undergraduate students may also find the book useful if they want to give their review an additional dimension by ‘releasing their research imagination’.

The contents and layout of the book allows the reader to follow the chronological order of the review process, and encourages a critical and analytical approach. Readers can start the beginning and read to the very end if desired, or dip in and out as needed.

The author acknowledges common concerns from postgraduate students, while giving tips and encouragement throughout. Chapters follow the logical order used in a literature review, and provide questions, ideas and frameworks that can be used or adapted to meet the individual needs of the project.