A literature review surveys academic publications relevant to a particular area of research. Key sources include journal articles, books, conference proceedings, government/corporate reports, theses/dissertations, and some internet sources. Journal articles are useful as they provide up-to-date information, often in a concise format. Refereed/peer-reviewed journals assure readers that the information has been verified by experts. Books offer a starting point but may be less current. The literature review evaluates what is already known in the area, shows relationships between different works, and relates them to the author's own research project, rather than just summarizing others' work. It should answer questions about existing theories, inconsistencies, evidence gaps, and