Post-Graduate's Guide to Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care

"Aveyard, Payne and Preston demystify the literature review process, offering step-by-step guidance that is grounded in real research practice. This is an essential companion for anyone undertaking postgraduate study in health and social care."
Professor Debra Jackson AO


"An essential resource for students across health and social care disciplines."
Victoria Sweetmore, Subject Lead, Mental Health and Learning, Disability Nursing, University of Derby, UK


Now in its third edition, this essential guide to writing a literature review in health and social care remains the go-to resource for postgraduate students undertaking this crucial component of their studies. The book provides a clear, step-by-step approach to doing a literature review from start to finish, enabling you to:


Identify which type of review is appropriate for your study
Pinpoint the literature that you need to include in your review
Search for, appraise and analyse relevant literature
Write up your review


Refreshed with up-to-date methods, new case studies and reflections on maintaining rigour alongside the use of artificial intelligence (AI), this edition also includes discussion and categorisation of different types of literature reviews, offering guidance on when and how each approach can be effectively applied to your research.


This new edition is the ultimate resource for students engaged in conducting a literature review or studying review methods. With real-life examples of written research across health and social care disciplines, succinct summaries, and clear signposting to further resources A Post-Graduate's Guide to Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care is the ideal text for students striving to maximise the impact of their study.


HELEN AVEYARD is an Associate Professor at Oxford Brookes University, UK with a background in nursing.


SHEILA PAYNE is a health psychologist with a background in nursing. She holds an Emeritus Chair at the International Observatory on End of Life Care at Lancaster University, UK.


NANCY PRESTON is a nurse and Professor of Supportive and Palliative Care at Lancaster University, UK.