A Post-Graduate’s Guide to Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care - Softcover

Aveyard, Helen; Payne, Sheila; Preston, Nancy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0335253474 ISBN 13: 9780335253470

Publisher: Open University Press, 2026

Synopsis

“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.

About this title

About the Author

Sheila Payne is an applied social scientist with a background in nursing. Over the last twenty years she has been involved in leading and contributing to research and teaching about research methods in palliative care. She has a special interest in end-of-life care for older people, family caregivers and bereavement support. She currently holds the Help the Hospices Chair in Hospice Studies based at the International Observatory on End of Life Care at Lancaster University, UK. She is also co-director of a large five year programme of collaborative research and development called the Cancer Experiences Collaborative. Sheila has published widely in academic and professional journals.

Edition details

• Publisher: Open University Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0335253474
• ISBN 13: 9780335253470
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 208