An Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) literature review is one of the most important parts of the project qualification. It demonstrates that you have researched your topic thoroughly, understand the existing discussions surrounding it, and can evaluate information critically rather than simply repeating what others have said.
Many students find literature reviews challenging because they are unsure how to move beyond summarizing sources. A successful literature review requires analysis, comparison, and evaluation. It should show how different sources contribute to your understanding of the topic and help shape your own investigation.
This guide explains what an EPQ literature review is, the key components it should contain, and a step-by-step process for writing one effectively.
What is a Literature Review for Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)?
A literature review for EPQ is a critical examination of the sources related to your research question. It explores what experts, researchers, authors, and other credible sources have already said about your topic.
Rather than listing sources one by one, a literature review identifies patterns, themes, debates, agreements, and disagreements within the existing research. It helps you understand the current state of knowledge on your subject and highlights areas where further investigation may be needed.
For example, if your EPQ investigates whether artificial intelligence will transform education, your literature review would examine what different experts say about AI in classrooms, its benefits, its limitations, and the concerns surrounding its use.
A well-written literature review demonstrates that your project is built upon careful research and informed analysis rather than personal opinion alone.
Key Components of a Literature Review for EPQ
A literature review needs more than a collection of source summaries. It should be structured, critical, and clearly connected to your EPQ question. The following components will help you build a strong literature review.
#1. Clear Connection to the Research Question
Every source included in your literature review should directly relate to your research question. Before using a source, ask yourself how it helps answer or explore your topic.
When discussing a source, make it clear why it is relevant. Explain how the information contributes to your understanding of the issue and how it connects to your investigation.
This focus helps keep your literature review organized and prevents unnecessary information from distracting from your main argument.
#2. Summary of Main Ideas
Readers need to understand the key points from each source before they can appreciate your analysis. Summarize the main arguments, findings, or conclusions of the source in a concise manner.
Avoid spending too much space on summaries. The goal is to provide enough context for your analysis rather than retell the entire source.
Good summaries identify the most important ideas while remaining closely connected to your research question.
#3. Critical Evaluation of Sources
An EPQ literature review should evaluate the quality and reliability of the sources you use.
Consider questions such as:
- Who wrote the source?
- What qualifications does the author have?
- Is the source recent?
- Does it rely on evidence?
- Could the author have any bias?
- Is the information supported by research?
Evaluating sources demonstrates independent thinking and strengthens the credibility of your review.
#4. Comparison Between Sources
Strong literature reviews compare sources rather than discussing them separately.
Look for similarities and differences between authors. Some may support a particular argument, while others challenge it. Some may use different evidence or reach different conclusions.
Comparing sources helps reveal the complexity of the topic and shows that you understand multiple perspectives.
#5. Identification of Gaps or Limitations
No body of research is perfect. Your literature review should identify areas where information is limited, outdated, incomplete, or controversial.
Highlighting these gaps can help justify your own investigation and show why your EPQ question remains important.
It also demonstrates that you can think critically about the strengths and weaknesses of existing research.
How to Write a Literature Review for EPQ
Writing a literature review becomes much easier when you follow a structured process. The following steps will help you move from collecting sources to producing a polished and analytical literature review.
Step #1: Start with Your EPQ Question
Before reading a single source, make sure your research question is clearly defined. Your literature review should always serve the question you are trying to answer.
Write your question at the top of your research notes and refer back to it regularly. This helps prevent you from collecting information that may be interesting but ultimately irrelevant.
Next, identify the major themes within your question. For example, if your EPQ asks whether social media affects teenage mental health, your themes might include:
- Social media usage patterns
- Anxiety and depression
- Self-esteem
- Cyberbullying
- Positive impacts of social media
These themes will become the foundation of your literature review structure.
By identifying themes early, you create a clear roadmap for your research and make the writing process much easier later.
Step #2: Gather Relevant Sources
Once you understand your research question, begin collecting high-quality sources.
Useful sources for an EPQ may include:
- Academic journal articles
- Books
- Government reports
- Research studies
- Educational websites
- Industry publications
- Interviews with experts
As you gather sources, focus on quality rather than quantity. A smaller collection of reliable sources is far more valuable than dozens of weak ones.
Create a research log where you record:
- Author
- Title
- Publication date
- Publisher
- Key findings
- Useful quotations
- Link or reference information
Keeping organized records from the beginning will save hours of work when writing your bibliography and citations.
Try to collect sources representing multiple viewpoints. A literature review is stronger when it examines different perspectives rather than only sources that support one side.
Step #3: Read and Take Focused Notes
Reading sources without taking structured notes often leads to confusion later. As you read, actively engage with the material.
For every source, record:
Main Argument
What is the author trying to prove or explain?
Supporting Evidence
What evidence is used to support the argument?
Strengths
What makes this source reliable or valuable?
Weaknesses
Are there limitations, biases, or missing information?
Relevance
How does this source help answer your EPQ question?
You should also highlight particularly useful quotations, statistics, and examples that may strengthen your literature review.
Avoid copying large sections of text. Instead, summarize ideas in your own words. This helps improve understanding and reduces the risk of accidental plagiarism.
Step #4: Group Sources by Theme
One of the biggest mistakes students make is organizing their literature review source by source.
Instead of writing:
- Source A says…
- Source B says…
- Source C says…
Organize your review around themes or issues.
For example:
Impact on Mental Health
Discuss all sources that examine mental health outcomes.
Positive Effects of Social Media
Discuss sources that identify benefits.
Negative Effects of Social Media
Discuss sources that focus on risks.
Areas of Debate
Discuss disagreements among researchers.
This thematic structure creates a more analytical literature review and allows you to compare evidence more effectively.
As you group sources, look for recurring ideas, patterns, and arguments that appear across multiple sources.
Step #5: Compare and Evaluate the Sources
This is where your literature review moves beyond simple summary.
For each theme, compare what different sources say.
Ask questions such as:
- Do the sources agree?
- Where do they disagree?
- Which source provides stronger evidence?
- Which source is more recent?
- Which source appears more reliable?
For example, one study may conclude that social media increases anxiety among teenagers, while another finds little evidence of harm. Instead of simply reporting both findings, explore why they reached different conclusions.
Perhaps:
- They studied different age groups.
- They used different research methods.
- One study had a larger sample size.
- One source is more recent.
This type of evaluation demonstrates critical thinking, which is highly valued in EPQ assessments.
Step #6: Write in a Clear Structure
Once your notes are organized, begin drafting your literature review.
Start with a short introduction explaining:
- The topic being reviewed
- The themes you will discuss
- The purpose of the review
For each theme, create a separate section or paragraph.
A useful paragraph structure is:
- Introduce the theme.
- Present relevant sources.
- Compare their findings.
- Evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
- Explain how they contribute to your understanding of the research question.
Use linking phrases to create smooth transitions between ideas, such as:
- Similarly
- In contrast
- However
- On the other hand
- Furthermore
- Despite this
These transitions help create a coherent discussion rather than a collection of disconnected summaries.
Step #7: Link the Review Back to Your Project
The final stage is connecting the literature review directly to your EPQ.
After discussing the major themes and debates, explain what you have learned from the research.
Consider questions such as:
- What conclusions emerge from the literature?
- What debates remain unresolved?
- What gaps still exist?
- How has the research influenced your project?
For example, you might explain that the literature revealed conflicting evidence regarding a topic, which encouraged you to investigate a specific aspect in greater detail.
This final section demonstrates that your literature review is not simply an academic exercise. It actively informs the direction of your EPQ and provides a foundation for your own analysis and conclusions.
Closing Thoughts
A literature review for EPQ is much more than a summary of sources. It is an opportunity to demonstrate research skills, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of your chosen topic.
By selecting reliable sources, organizing them around themes, comparing different viewpoints, and evaluating the quality of the evidence, you can create a literature review that strengthens your entire project.
The most effective literature reviews show how existing research shapes the investigation while highlighting important debates, limitations, and opportunities for further exploration. When approached systematically, the literature review becomes one of the strongest pieces of evidence that your EPQ is built upon careful and thoughtful research.