Write down the topic or research question. Use a spiral brainstorming technique such as a "mind map" to generate ideas on where to research further. According Bloom's taxonomy, the first step in learning is new knowledge acquisition. When planning a literature review, the first step should be recognizing and learning to name different aspects and features of the topic.
Conduct a library catalog search or a database search to find general books on the topic for the literature review. Read the introductions to get general information about the field of study. Then arrange the literature review plan in order to situate what is relevant or irrelevant for the study. According to Bloom's taxonomy, ordering and analyzing are two of the next steps in learning.
Set up a time line for completing the literature review based on the broad background knowledge gained from the initial survey of the field. Discuss with a professor or any supervisor what dates the research should be completed by and plan to spend at least the first third of the research period conducting the literature review. Read tertiary and secondary sources before consulting primary sources.
Analyze specific sources by skimming to determine their value for future review. Analysis is the fourth step of Bloom's taxonomy. Choose articles and books, write down their key arguments, summarize descriptions or cases and decide which books and articles best relate to your research topic.
List the literature you intend to use in the research. Organize the list based on the school of thought and theoretical approach to the topic. At the end or the beginning of the list, write in a few sentences detailing the way that your research fills any gaps in knowledge, empirical data or theoretical discrepancies between these schools of thought. According to Bloom's taxonomy, such an exercise is a part of higher-level thinking, or synthesis.
Annotate the literature review reading list using post-its or on a separate sheet of paper. Summarize each reading choice and be clear on how the article or book relates to your research. Type up this annotation into a formal essay which will be included in the final research paper.