Infographic: 5 Key differences between the background and literature review sections of a research paper

Discussing existing literature can be challenging, but don’t worry; it’s easier than it seems! One common difficulty is deciding which studies to cite in the Background/Introduction sections and in the Literature Review section. Both sections are important parts of a journal article, and both need to demonstrate why your study is important or necessary. But there are some key differences between the two in how you talk about existing research. The table below is a handy guide on how to discuss prior studies differently in each of these sections.