Keys to Knowledge: Searching and Reviewing the Literature Relevant to Chaplaincy

The first paragraphs of a manuscript introduce the reader to the topic. Thus they need both to excite and to inform the reader. Whether one is writing an article about a research study, an educational program or a clinical practice, one needs to start with a literature review. This review must summarize what is known about the topic, and why it is important to the field, to the profession, and to the reader. In order to produce a solid introduction substantial time must be devoted to a review of the relevant literature. The scope of the literature review should be as comprehensive as possible to make the case for the importance of the topic and the value of the author’s contribution to the field via this particular article. Most importantly, the literature review must sufficiently inform the reader about the topic being addressed.