The value in literature review is the ability to synthesise large amounts of information in short spaces of time that generate robust findings alone, or inform subsequent stages of primary investigation.
We have considerable experience of working closely with clients and key stakeholders to conduct literature reviews.
We have worked on lengthy systematic reviews lasting many months, focused research syntheses over a few months, and targeted rapid evidence assessments lasting a matter of weeks.
All our literature reviews involve us applying analytical frameworks across numerous written sources.
We are also adept in assessing others' methodologies and making expert judgements on their findings, on which further analysis can be based.
Our experience
In 2008 we were commissioned by the Central Office of Information and the Youth Citizenship Commission to draw on the large amount of existing literature to:
- help them understand why young people have become detached from formal politics
- start the process of evaluating how to re-engage them.
We conducted interviews with key experts, made contacts with academic experts, interrogated databases of academic work, and gathered market research conducted by the government and the private sector. We accordingly built up a pool of evidence on which to draw.
The final report, Youth engagement – a literature review, informed the subsequent work of the Commission.
