how to write a state of the art literature review

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• v.14(6); 2022 Dec

How to Conduct a State-of-the-Art Literature Review

Erin s. barry.

Erin S. Barry, MS, is Assistant Professor, Department of Military & Emergency Medicine and Department of Anesthesiology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and Doctoral Candidate, School of Health Professions Education, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Jerusalem Merkebu

Jerusalem Merkebu, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Lara Varpio

Lara Varpio, PhD, is Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

This article provides a brief introduction to critical steps needed for conducting a high-quality State-of-the-Art (SotA) literature review , one that will add to our understanding of the phenomenon under study. This introduction complements another article in this issue, which discusses the purposes, underlying foundations, strengths, and weakness of SotA reviews in more detail. 1

The fundamental purpose of SotA literature reviews is to create a 3-part argument about the state of knowledge for a specific phenomenon: This is where we are now. This is how we got here. This is where we could go next ( Table 1 ). Below is a 6-stage process for conducting a SotA literature review. 2 To support this process, questions for guiding each of the 6 stages are provided in Table 2 .

Example of a Medical Education State-of-the-Art (SotA) Literature Review

Six-Stage Approach to Conducting a State-of-the-Art Review With Guiding Questions

Before Starting: Build Your Team

It is important to identify individuals who will be a part of the research team. While a SotA review can be conducted by a single author, most SotA reviews harness the perspectives of an interdisciplinary team to generate rich interpretations of the literature. The team should also include a medical librarian to help with developing the search strategy.

Stage 1: Determine Initial Research Question and Field of Inquiry

In Stage 1, the research team determines the initial research question that incorporates the phenomenon to be addressed in the SotA literature review. It is important to clearly define the field of knowledge and/or practice that will be targeted.

Stage 2: Determine Time Frame

Stage 2 determines the time frame that will define “state-of-the-art” for the research question defined in Stage 1. In Stage 2, the research team should engage in a broad overview of the literature to develop an understanding of the phenomenon's historical development (ie, seminal articles). This process will shape the research team's focus vis-à-vis the pivotal moments in history when the thinking about the phenomenon changed and the time frame for contemporary thinking (ie, the date marking the beginning of this is where we are now thinking). At the end of Stage 2, the research team should be able to justify why a specific year (ie, turning point in history) is chosen to mark the beginning of state-of-the-art thinking around the phenomenon.

Stage 3: Finalize Research Question(s) to Reflect Time Frame

Based on the developments from Stages 1 and 2, the research team will revise and finalize the research question(s) to determine what needs to be included in the search strategy and analyses. The revised research question(s) and justification for the timeline must be reported in the article.

Stage 4: Develop Search Strategy to Find Relevant Articles

Next, a search strategy is developed, enabling the research team to construct the corpus of literature to be included in the SotA review. This involves determining which database(s) to search and when to set the start date for the review. Since the review needs to describe this is how we got here , it must include literature that predates the this is where we are now time frame determined in Stage 2. Stage 4 is an iterative process of testing and revising the search strategy to capture pertinent literature required to meet the purpose of the SotA review. It is important to note that the search goal is not to review all pertinent literature in the SotA review; instead, the goal is to include relevant literature to describe a historical evolution in the field's thinking about a topic. The final search strategy must be included in the manuscript. If possible, a librarian should be consulted when developing the search strategy. A software program such as Covidence may be useful to help organize and share all articles with the research team.

Stage 5: Analyses

Analysis of the included literature is an inductive process where the research team reads and reflects on the articles and constructs an interpretation of the historical development of how the specific phenomenon is understood in the field. The research team should begin by reading each included article to become familiar with this literature and be able to identify similarities among the articles, ways of thinking that have shaped current understandings, assumptions underpinning changes in understandings over time, and gaps and assumptions in the current knowledge.

Next, the research team can generate the premises that fit the purpose of a SotA review (ie, creating an understanding of the topic, constructing a history of knowledge development that gave rise to this modern thinking, and developing suggestions for future research). In this stage, the research team should highlight specific articles that either support or contradict its premises.

The final step in Stage 5 is to verify the thoroughness and strength of the research team's interpretations. This can be done by selecting different articles and examining if they are congruent with the team's interpretations. The research team may also seek out additional literature that offers alternative interpretations to convey that their summary successfully refutes conflicting interpretations. The goal of this verification work is not to engage in a triangulation process for objectivity or for external confirmation; instead, this process is to help the research team ensure that they have successfully explained their interpretations in a way that supports or refutes the interpretations offered by others.

Stage 6: Reflexivity

The SotA manuscript should offer insights into the subjectivity of the research team by describing members who comprise the team, applications of their expertise, and how these informed their interpretations of the data. This reflexivity description will help readers understand the perspectives that informed the interpretation offered by the research team.

Disclaimer: The opinions and assertions contained herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as reflecting the views of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the US Department of Defense.

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STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEWS

Click or scroll down below to view content

State of the Art reviews are undertaken to create a three-part argument about the current state of knowledge for a specific phenomenon: 

This is where we are now

This is how we got here

This is where we could go next

Not sure this is the right review type to answer your research question(s)?

Click Types of Reviews to help you decide.

STRENGTHS + WEAKNESSES

State of the Art Reviews

Provides a historical overview of how thinking about a phenomenon has changed over time

Provides a comprehensive time-based overview of a body of knowledge

The scope of state of the art reviews can extend beyond peer-reviewed literature

The purpose and foundations of this type of review constrains them from providing a direct answer to specific, narrow research questions

They do not offer definitive answers to readers; instead, they are subjective reviews offering one interpretation of how the literature could be interpreted

The moment in history when the review is conducted and the specific review team engaging in the synthesis will shape the review

STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEWS:

Supporting Documents to Download

STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEWS: 6-STEPS Downloadable How-To Guide

State-of-the-art reviews: theoretical foundations (journal of graduate medical education publication), state-of-the-art reviews: how-to guide (journal of graduate medical education publication), author spotlight.

LARA VARPIO, PhD

Lara Varpio is Professor, Department of Pediatrics Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Co-Director of Research in Medical Education The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Varpio’s research uses qualitative methodologies and methods, integrated with theories from the Social Sciences and Humanities, to investigate questions relating to how individuals (e.g. clinicians, patients, researchers, etc.) influence the performance of teams and organizations, and to how those teams and organizations impact on the individual. She also supports the broad medical education community by serving on editorial boards for several medical education journals, as an invited editor for many special editions and thematic articles series in journals, and as a host for the KeyLIME podcast.

JERUSALEM MERKEBU, PhD

Jerusalem Merkebu is an Assistant Professor at Uniformed Services University's (USU) Center for Health Professions Education. She received her PhD from George Mason University in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Human and Organizational Learning and Development. Her research more broadly focuses on exploring and measuring how metacognitive reflection and emotions impact vigilant decision-making processes, clinical reasoning, and well-being.

ERIN S. BARRY, PhD(c)

Erin S. Barry is an Assistant Professor at Uniformed Services University (USU) and focuses on Leadership Professional Development of learners, faculty, and staff at USU. She received a BE in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and earned an MS in Biomedical Engineering from University of Texas at Arlington. She is currently working on her PhD in Health Professions Education focusing on leadership and followership within healthcare teams.

State-of-the-art research papers: Literature reviews

The general aim is to provide an overview of key theories, models, and previous research on the subject. The review/analysis section is generally a comparative/analytical review of field-specific areas of literature. The discussion section contains authorial interpretations, i.e. insights are highlighted and discussed in light of the body of research as a whole.

Cover Page (add the word “Confidential” if nec essary) Declaration of Authenticity and word count (Acknowledgements) Management Summary Table of Contents

• What is the overall subject of the research?
• What business-related issues will be addressed?
• What is the aim of the research and what is your research question?
• What is the structure and scope of the paper?
• What literature are you reviewing?
• What were your search criteria (i.e. all articles in the top 3 journals on marketing; traceability is included in the title, abstract or key words, 2015-2020)?
• How much material do you have (any exclusions, why)?
• On what basis will you review/critically assess this literature (concrete criteria)?
• Overview (and comparison) of previous research
• How do your findings connect to your overall research aim / RQ (i.e. return to your objectives)?
• What insights does this overview (and comparison) provide?
• How transferable are your results? What are the limitations of your research?
• What research gaps have been underscored? How might future research build on where previous research left off?

Reference list List of Tables and Figures (Appendix)

The word count includes all of the text from the introduction through the end of the conclusion, including footnotes. The reference list, appendix, cover page, confidentiality note, declaration of authenticity, abstract, table of contents, and list of tables and figures are all excluded from the word count.

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Which review is that? A guide to review types.

• Which review is that?
• Review Comparison Chart
• Decision Tool
• Critical Review
• Integrative Review
• Narrative Review

State of the Art Review

• Narrative Summary
• Systematic Review
• Meta-analysis
• Comparative Effectiveness Review
• Diagnostic Systematic Review
• Network Meta-analysis
• Prognostic Review
• Psychometric Review
• Review of Economic Evaluations
• Systematic Review of Epidemiology Studies
• Living Systematic Reviews
• Umbrella Review
• Review of Reviews
• Rapid Review
• Rapid Evidence Assessment
• Rapid Realist Review
• Qualitative Evidence Synthesis
• Qualitative Interpretive Meta-synthesis
• Qualitative Meta-synthesis
• Qualitative Research Synthesis
• Framework Synthesis - Best-fit Framework Synthesis
• Meta-aggregation
• Meta-ethnography
• Meta-interpretation
• Meta-narrative Review
• Meta-summary
• Thematic Synthesis
• Mixed Methods Synthesis
• Narrative Synthesis
• Bayesian Meta-analysis
• EPPI-Centre Review
• Critical Interpretive Synthesis
• Realist Synthesis - Realist Review
• Scoping Review
• Mapping Review
• Systematised Review
• Concept Synthesis
• Expert Opinion - Policy Review
• Technology Assessment Review
• Methodological Review
• Systematic Search and Review

State of the art reviews "generally focus on recently published literature to assess current matters. A state-of-the-art review will often highlight new ideas or gaps in research with no official quality assessment". "

Further Reading/Resources  

Barry, Erin S., Jerusalem Merkebu, and Lara Varpio. "Understanding state-of-the-art literature reviews." Journal of Graduate Medical Education 14.6 (2022): 659-662. Full Text  

Grant, M. J., & Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health information & libraries journal , 26 (2), 91-108. Full Text  

Example  

Wang, L., Kolios, A., Liu, X., Venetsanos, D., & Rui, C. (2022). Reliability of offshore wind turbine support structures: A state-of-the-art review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews , 161 , 112250. Full Text

References Baguss, J. (2020). The Systematic Review Research Process: 8 Types of Systematic Reviews You Should Know. Evidence Partners. Link

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QbD » Blog » State of the Art (SOTA) Literature Review – What, Why, When, and Who?   

Life Sciences Insights

Sharing expert knowledge via our latest blog posts

State of the Art (SOTA) Literature Review – What, Why, When, and Who?   

• Ellen Neven, Regulatory Medical Writer at QbD Clinical
• Medical Devices
• June 22, 2023

State of the Art (SOTA) literature review is part of the clinical evaluation process of a medical device, which is defined as an ongoing collection, generation, appraisal, and analysis of clinical data related to the device.

The output of this systematic literature review feeds into the clinical evaluation, risk management, and instructions for use (IFU). It also provides relevant input for the design and setup of clinical investigations to ensure the collection of sufficient clinical evidence to demonstrate conformity with the general safety and performance requirements (GSPRs) and the benefit-risk acceptability criteria.

A systematic literature review is a structured and objective process to identify, critically appraise, analyze , and summarize clinical evidence to answer pre-specified research questions. In this blog post, we would like to share with you the definitions, time points, and resources required to execute a systematic literature review as required.

FREE WHITE PAPER

State-of-the-art literature review.

In this white paper on Systematic Literature Review, we walk you through the different steps of conducting solid systematic SOTA literature searches.

SOTA Literature Review – What, Why and When?

Although SOTA is referred to several times in EU MDR 2017/745 and MEDDEV 2.7/1 Rev. 4, the term itself is not defined. The definition of SOTA can be found in ‘MDCG 2020-6 Clinical Evidence for Legacy Devices’:

‘Developed stage of current technical capability and/or accepted clinical practice in regard to products, processes, and patient management, based on the relevant consolidated findings of science, technology, and experience. Note: The state of the art embodies what is currently and generally accepted as good practice in technology and medicine. The state of the art does not necessarily imply the most technologically advanced solution.’

According to MEDDEV 2.7/1 Rev. 4, the SOTA literature search and review should establish:

• General SOTA: overview of the medical field, technology, alternative treatments and similar benchmark devices
• Clinical data on the device under evaluation and the equivalent device, if equivalence is claimed

As the SOTA literature review is a crucial first step in the clinical evaluation process , this ideally starts already during the development and pre-market phase of the medical device. During this phase, the SOTA literature review sets the scene for the medical condition(s) and use of the device and retrieves relevant information on safety, performance, and usability parameters, as a benchmark, that the device should comply with.

Systematic literature review also identifies the clinical benefit and defines the acceptability criteria of the benefit-risk profile of the device. The output of the initial SOTA literature review is key to defining which clinical data are to be generated to demonstrate that the device under evaluation conforms to the generally acknowledged state of the art and hence determines which clinical benefit, safety, performance, and usability endpoints should be evaluated in clinical investigations, especially if gaps in clinical evidence are identified.

Finally, SOTA literature review provides relevant input for risk management as it might identify potential clinical hazards related to the device and aid in risk estimation for hazardous situations by providing information on the frequency and severity of the harm.

To obtain market approval (CE marking), clinical evidence pertaining to the device under evaluation should be of sufficient amount and quality to confirm compliance with the relevant GSPRs and the acceptability criteria of the benefit-risk profile.

For some medical devices, particularly for class I and IIa devices, clinical data generated through literature review might represent the greater part (if not all) of the clinical evidence (due to lack of clinical investigations), emphasizing the relevance of a well-conducted and solid systematic literature review.

SOTA Literature Review – Updates

Throughout the life cycle of the device, the clinical evaluation and its documentation should be updated with clinical data obtained from the post-market surveillance (PMS) and post-market clinical follow-up (PMCF) to pro-actively collect and evaluate device safety and performance data after being placed on the market.

As such, SOTA literature review continues after CE approval as part of PMS activities to i) keep up with the current knowledge in the medical field, ii) continuously monitor the safety, performance, usability, and benefit-risk profile of the device and iii) keep track of any unforeseen risks or device misuse.

The frequency of SOTA and clinical evaluation updates depends on the risk classification of your device and the output of the PMS:

• Whenever new information from PMS affects the clinical evaluation or its conclusion (accounts for all risk classes), particularly on the benefit-risk profile of the device
• At least annually for high-risk (class III) or not-yet well-established devices
• Every 2 to 5 years for lower-risk and well-established devices.

SOTA Literature Review – Who?

Preferentially, literature reviews are performed by qualified medical writers with a scientific or medical background and knowledge of research methodology, information management, and regulatory requirements. Input from clinical, quality, and regulatory experts as evaluators of the LRP and LRR is highly recommended.

According to MEDDEV 2.7/1 rev 4 specific requirements for the expertise and experience of LRP and LRR authors and evaluators include a relevant higher education degree and five years’ related professional experience, or ten years’ professional experience if a degree is not considered a prerequisite for the task.

An up-to-date CV of all authors and evaluators should be provided with the report. Deviations from the above requirements should be documented and duly justified. All evaluators must provide a declaration of interest.

How can we assist in consolidated SOTA literature reviews?

The SOTA literature review, as part of the clinical evaluation process, is a time-consuming complex process that requires specific reading, writing, and strong analytical skills.

At QbD Clinical, we provide knowledge-based expertise to help you set out the clinical strategy and plan and document the clinical evaluation process throughout the journey of your medical device – from start to finish. 

To speed up the preparation of the required documentation and ensure high quality deliverables, a team of regulatory affairs specialists, literature review experts, medical writers, medical advisors and project managers work closely together.

Take advantage of the multi-disciplinary expertise of QbD Clinical to speed up and deliver an MDR compliant SOTA literature review and clinical evaluation in an efficient way.

Our services at a glance:

• Gap analysis of SOTA literature review and clinical evaluation documents
• Systematic literature reviews – literature review plan and report
• Regulatory Medical Writing – CEP, CER, PMS plan and report, PMCF plan and report, PSUR
• Clinical medical writing – CIP and CIR
• Advise in clinical strategy
• Operational management of pre-and post-market clinical investigations and PMCF surveys

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Chaos to Clarity: Structuring Your Literature Review Format

Master literature review format! Learn key sections, effective citation & analysis tips to write a strong academic review.

Ever wondered how to dive into a mountain of books and articles and come up with something that not just makes sense but shines new light on a topic? What if there was a way to neatly tie together all that information, spot what’s missing, and maybe even pave the way for discoveries? 

That’s what you are going to learn in this article, literature reviews—a place where chaos meets order, and where your insights could set the stage for the next big thing. Let’s break down the literature review format , your essential guide to properly writing a literature review.

Dissecting Literature Review Format 

There are 6 main sections to make a note of while writing a literature review. Those are:

The Introduction Section

Topic background, conceptual framework.

• Synthesis and Evaluation in Literature Reviews
• Conclusion for Your Literature Review
• Reference List in Your Literature Review

Also Read: Essential Components of a Literature Review

The introduction of your literature review is where you set the stage for the entire document. It’s your first opportunity to engage your readers and provide a clear blueprint of what your review will cover and why it matters. This section does more than merely introduce the topic; it establishes the context, defines the scope, and outlines the purpose and objectives of your literature review.

Things to keep in mind while writing an introduction:

• Craft a compelling opening
• Establish the Context and Justification
• Define the Scope and Objectives
• Lay out the Structure
• Give an overview of the Structure

The “Topic Background” section of a literature review serves as the cornerstone for understanding the evolution and current state of the subject matter. It is divided into two crucial sub-sections: Historical Context and Current State of the Topic . 

Delving into these areas provides you with a comprehensive backdrop against which the literature review is framed, enriching the reader’s understanding of why the topic is of interest and what has influenced its development to the current state.

Historical Context

The Historical Context is fundamental in setting the stage for the entire literature review. This section is not just a chronology of events or developments; it’s a curated narrative that highlights the key milestones and turning points that have significantly impacted the topic. 

By examining the historical evolution, the review establishes a timeline of how understanding and perspectives have shifted over the years.

Summary Of Key Historical Developments

This involves identifying and summarizing the major breakthroughs, shifts in thinking, or seminal works that have shaped the topic. It’s important to focus on developments that have a direct relevance to the current understanding and state of the subject. For example, if the topic is about the evolution of renewable energy technologies, this part would outline the initial discovery and use of renewable sources, significant technological innovations, and pivotal policy decisions that have influenced the field.

Relevance Of Historical Context To The Topic

After outlining the key historical developments, it’s crucial to connect these events to the present topic. This means discussing how past events have laid the groundwork for current theories, practices, or debates within the field. It involves analyzing the impact of historical milestones on the subject matter, and explaining how they have contributed to current knowledge, challenges, and research questions. This section makes it clear why understanding history is essential for anyone researching or studying the topic today.

Current State Of The Topic

Moving from the historical context, the review transitions to the present with the Current State of the Topic. This part assesses the latest research, trends, debates, and technological advancements that define the subject area at the moment.

Current Trends Or Updates

Here, the focus shifts to what is happening in the field right now. This could include recent research findings, emerging theories, new methodologies, or the latest technological innovations. The aim is to provide a snapshot of the current research landscape, identifying what themes, questions, or problems are being actively explored. For instance, in the context of digital marketing, this might involve discussing the rise of artificial intelligence in customer relationship management or the impact of social media trends on marketing strategies.

Impact Of These Trends On The Subject Matter

The final step is to assess the implications of these current trends for the topic. This includes considering how recent developments have advanced the field, the challenges they present, and the opportunities they open up for future research. It’s about connecting the dots between what’s happening now and what it means for the subject area moving forward. This not only helps to frame the research questions that the literature review will address but also sets the stage for identifying gaps in the current knowledge, thereby guiding the direction of future studies.

Also Read: What is a literature review? Get the concept and start using it

When doing a literature review, it’s essential to lay a solid foundation for your exploration through a well-defined conceptual framework. This framework acts as a compass, guiding your review’s direction by establishing the key concepts, theories, and perspectives that underpin your topic. 

Definitions And Descriptions

Before diving into the depths of your literature review, it’s crucial to start with the basics. This means clearly identifying and defining the key concepts related to your topic. Think of this as setting the stage for your readers, ensuring they have a clear understanding of the fundamental terms and ideas you will be exploring.

Key Concepts Related To The Topic

Begin by listing the essential concepts central to your review. These are the building blocks of your topic, the terms that will repeatedly appear throughout your exploration. 

Detailed Definitions And Their Relevance

Once you’ve identified these concepts, provide precise and comprehensive definitions for each. Don’t hesitate to explore different dimensions or interpretations of these terms, as this can enrich your readers’ understanding. More importantly, discuss why these concepts are crucial to your review. How do they shape the scope of your exploration? How do they relate to each other and to the broader topic? This step ensures that your readers are not just familiar with the terms but also understand their significance within your review’s context.

Theoretical Perspectives

With the key concepts clearly defined, it’s time to frame your literature review within relevant theoretical perspectives. This is where you align your exploration with existing theories, models, or frameworks that provide insights into your topic.

Important Theories Related To The Topic

Identify the theories that are foundational to your topic. These could range from well-established theories that have long guided research in your field to more contemporary models that offer new insights. For example, a review of organizational behavior might draw on theories of motivation, leadership styles, and organizational culture.

Evaluation Of These Theories And Their Influence On The Topic

After pinpointing the relevant theories, critically assess their contributions to the topic. Consider questions like: How have these theories shaped understanding of the topic? What insights do they offer, and where do they fall short? Are there controversies or debates surrounding these theories? This evaluation not only deepens your review’s analytical depth but also positions your work within the larger academic conversation.

Synthesis And Evaluation In Literature Reviews

The “Synthesis and Evaluation” section is where your literature review truly comes to life. Here, you’re not just summarizing what others have said; you’re weaving together diverse strands of research to present a cohesive picture of the topic at hand.

Comparison And Contrast Of Sources

Synthesizing the literature involves more than listing findings from various studies; it’s about drawing connections between them, highlighting areas of agreement and dispute, and weaving these into a narrative that adds depth and breadth to your understanding of the topic.

Comparative Analysis

Start by grouping your sources based on similarities in their findings, methodologies, or theoretical approaches. This clustering will help you identify trends and common themes across the literature. For example, if several studies have found similar outcomes under comparable conditions, these findings can be grouped to strengthen a particular argument or observation about the topic.

Contrasts Or Conflicts Among Sources

Equally important is the identification of discrepancies in the literature. Do some studies present findings that directly contradict others? Are there differences in how researchers have interpreted similar data? Highlighting these conflicts is crucial, as it can indicate areas where the topic is still evolving or where further research is needed. It also shows your ability to critically engage with the material, a hallmark of scholarly rigor.

Analysis Of Gaps In Literature

One of your primary tasks in the synthesis and evaluation section is to identify what’s missing in the current body of research. This requires a critical eye and a deep understanding of both your topic and the broader field in which it resides.

Identification Of Research Gaps

As you comb through the literature, ask yourself: What questions remain unanswered? Are there underexplored areas or populations? Perhaps certain methodologies have been overlooked, or theoretical perspectives have not been considered. Pinpointing these gaps is not a mere exercise in academic critique; it’s a vital step in advancing knowledge within the field.

Implications Of These Gaps For Future Research

Highlighting gaps in the literature sets the stage for future studies. It’s where you, as the reviewer, can suggest new research directions that could fill these voids or further explore the topic. Discussing the implications of these gaps not only enriches your review but also contributes to the ongoing scholarly conversation. 

Conclusion For Your Literature Review

The conclusion of your literature review is where you bring together all the strands of your argument, synthesizing the insights gained and highlighting the significance of your findings. It’s not just a summary of what has been discussed; it’s an opportunity to underscore the relevance of the review, reflect on the broader implications of your synthesis and evaluation, and suggest directions for future research. 

Summary Of Key Points

Start your conclusion by succinctly summarizing the main points and findings of your review. This isn’t about rehashing every detail but rather about distilling the essence of your exploration. Highlight the critical trends, themes, and conflicts you’ve uncovered, and remind your readers of the significance of these discoveries.

Relevance And Implications Of The Literature For The Topic

Next, focus on the relevance and implications of your findings. This involves stepping back to consider the bigger picture—how does your literature review contribute to the understanding of your topic? Discuss the impact of the trends and gaps you’ve identified on the field, and elaborate on how your synthesis of the literature advances or enriches existing knowledge.

Reflection On The Research Process

Reflecting on the research process itself can provide valuable insights. Consider discussing the challenges you encountered in navigating the literature, such as dealing with conflicting findings or the scarcity of research on certain aspects of your topic. 

Directions For Future Research

One of the most critical aspects of your conclusion is to suggest directions for future research. Be as precise as possible, whether suggesting new methodologies, theoretical frameworks, or specific topics that warrant deeper investigation.

Final Thoughts

End your conclusion with a strong closing statement that reiterates the value of your literature review. Emphasize the importance of continued research on your topic and the potential it holds for advanced understanding within your field. A compelling conclusion reaffirms the significance of your work, leaving your readers with a clear sense of its contribution and the urgent need for further exploration.

Reference List In Your Literature Review

The Reference List is the backbone of your literature review, providing a comprehensive compilation of all the sources you’ve cited throughout your exploration. It’s not merely a formality but a crucial component that lends credibility and rigor to your work.

Importance Of Accuracy And Consistency

The cornerstone of a reliable Reference List is accuracy and consistency in citation style. Whether you’re adhering to APA , MLA , Chicago , or another academic citation format, it’s vital to apply the rules with precision. This includes correctly formatting author names, publication dates, titles, and publication details. 

Organizing Your References

While different citation styles have their own rules for listing references, organizing them in a way that enhances readability and accessibility is universally beneficial. Alphabetical order by the author’s last name is the most common method, as it allows readers to easily locate sources.

Comprehensive Coverage

Your Reference List should be exhaustive, including every work you’ve cited in your review. This extends beyond journal articles and books to encompass reports, conference papers, online resources, and any other materials that have informed your analysis.

The Value Of Annotations

While not always required, providing brief annotations for key sources can add tremendous value to your Reference List. An annotated bibliography offers a succinct summary of each source’s main arguments, methodologies, and findings, as well as its relevance to your literature review.

Digital Accessibility

In today’s digital age, considering the accessibility of your referenced works can greatly enhance the utility of your Reference List. Whenever possible, include Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) or stable URLs for online sources, ensuring readers can directly access the materials. 

Also read: What Is A DOI? Exploring The Purpose And Importance

Reflecting On Ethical Scholarship

Finally, your Reference List is a reflection of ethical scholarship. By accurately citing all the sources that have informed your work, you’re honoring the intellectual property of other researchers and upholding the academic community’s standards of integrity and respect. 

Crafting a meticulous Reference List is an essential aspect of your literature review that underscores the credibility, depth, and ethical foundation of your research. By adhering to the principles of accuracy, comprehensiveness, and accessibility, you not only facilitate further inquiry but also pay homage to the collective endeavor of knowledge advancement in your field.

Related Article: Navigating the AMA Citation Format: Best Tips for Referencing

In conclusion, writing a literature review involves meticulous structuring, beginning with an engaging introduction that sets the stage, followed by a detailed exploration of the topic’s background, including its historical context and current state. 

A robust conceptual framework lays the groundwork for analysis, leading to a critical synthesis and evaluation of relevant literature. 

The conclusion ties together the review’s key findings and implications, while the reference list meticulously catalogs all cited works. Mastering each section ensures a comprehensive and insightful review, essential for advancing academic understanding and contributing to scholarly discussions.

Related Article: Preliminary Literature Review: A Guide for Effective Research

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State-of-the-art on writing a literature review: An overview of types and components

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State of the Art (SOTA) Part II: Clinical Literature Review Objectives

By Susan Farabaugh, RQM+ Consultant

The first blog post of this series, State of the Art (SOTA) Part I: What is a State of the Art Evaluation?  discussed the use and definition of state of the art as used in the 4th revision of the European Commission’s Guidelines on Medical Devices, "MEDDEV 2.7/1 Clinical Evaluation: A Guide for Manufacturers and Notified Bodies Under Directives 93/42/EEC and 90/385/EEC". In part two of the RQM+ SOTA series, our experts continue the conversation by digging further into Clinical Evaluation Reports and Clinical Literature Review Objectives to help medical device manufacturers get (or keep) your medical device on the market in the European Union (EU) understand the specific requirements mentioned in the guidance.

Safety and Performance versus the State of the Art:

The clinical literature evaluation contains two literature evaluations: “Safety & Performance” and “State of the Art”. These two literature evaluations have different objectives and, therefore, usually require separate searches with different inclusion/exclusion criteria.

• Systematic and unbiased: The purpose is to systematically identify relevant clinical literature, both favorable or unfavorable.

Search protocol: The search terms, inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, appraisal criteria, and methodology need to be defined before execution to maintain objectivity.

Search adequacy: Are the search terms comprehensive? Are the databases used appropriate and adequate?

Appraisal: The suitability and contribution of each included article should be appraised (MedDev 2.7/1 rev4 Section 9)

Literature report: Documents details of the search that enables the search to be reproduced and understood by a third party and provides a detailed analysis of the literature along with scientifically valid conclusions.

Safety & Performance-specific evaluation:

The focus is only on the safety and performance of the device under evaluation or an equivalent device. Literature in this section summarizes the safety and performance outcomes reported in the literature specific to the device under evaluation or equivalent device.

Items to include o r evaluate:

• The lite r atu r e on the device unde r evaluation o r equivalent device
• Detailed pe r fo r mance outcomes of the device unde r evaluation
• Detailed safety outcomes of the device
• Sea r ch te r ms encompass: Name of device unde r evaluation, p r evious o r alte r native names, and company name linked with medical condition:
• Dates cove r ed: The evaluated lite r atu r e needs to be comp r ehensive and date back to the device’s initial CE ma r k.

State of the Art-specific evaluation:

The focus is on the treatment of the medical condition. The focus encompasses devices similar to the device under evaluation (including the device under evaluation itself) and alternative treatments. Literature in this section should enable a comparison between the safety and performance of the device under evaluation to similar devices or alternative devices or treatments.

Items to include or evaluate:

• Overview of the medical condition being treated, including things such as natural course and consequences, clinical forms, patient populations, and risk factors for disease development.
• Description of similar devices and alternative devices or treatments along with what is considered standard of care. The description should include a summary of safety and performance outcomes including a discussion of proposed benefits/limitations of the device under evaluation, similar devices, and alternative treatments.
• Summary of clinical practice guidelines and discussion of existing standards for medical condition, device, similar devices, and alternative treatments.
• Search terms encompass: Keywords from indications, similar device names, alternative devices or treatment names, keywords pertaining to the medical condition, and type of device.
• Dates covered: Typically covers the last 5 to 10 years depending on the extent of studies available and type of device.

As always, RQM+ experts are ready to answer your questions and work through your challenges with our structured CER/PER business unit and dedicated team, including program management and SMEs. Book a consultation with our experts today.

Looking for related content? We have you covered:

>> On Demand Webinar: Case Studies of MDD and MDR Audit Findings... and Lessons Learned

>> Blog: RQM+ Experts Reviewed the New MDCG Guidance - Here is What They Learned.

>> On Demand RQM+ Live!: I don't have clinical data for my device. What are my options for fulfilling the sufficient clinical evidence requirements under EU MDR?

Sources: 1) European Commission. Clinical evaluation: a guide for manufacturers and notified bodies under directives 93/42 and 90/385. Last updated 22/06/2020. Accessed 22/06/2020. https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/17522/attachments/1/translations/ 2) European Commission. MDCG 2020-6 Regulation (EU) 2017/745: Clinical evidence needed for medical devices previously CE marked under Directives 93/42/EEC or 90/385/EEC. A guide for manufacturers and notified bodies. Last updated 24/04/2020. Accessed 22/06/2020. https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/40904  3) European Commission. MDCG 2020-5 Clinical Evaluation - Equivalence. A guide for manufacturers and notified bodies.  Last updated 24/04/2020. Accessed 22/06/2020.  https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/40903

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Writing a Literature Review in the Arts and Humanities

• 1. Get Started
• 2.1 Find Review Articles
• 3.1 Find Scholarly Journals
• 3.2 Find Theses or Dissertations
• 3.3 Track Citations
• 4. Evaluate Literature
• 5. Take Notes & Manage References
• 6. Keep Current
• 7. Prepare First Draft & Revise

Humanities Librarian

Process of Literature Review

This guide was created to help FSU students in the arts and humanities with writing a literature review.

Whether you are writing a literature review for your term paper, research article, or thesis/dissertation, we hope you will find some helpful tips for completing the task.

Each tab in this guide was designed to correspond to each stage of the literature review process. However, research and writing are iterative processes; they do not necessarily follow a linear process. You may find yourself cycling through stages more than once, perhaps going back to your topic after a first reading of articles and books you have discovered. The outline here is meant only as a guide for thinking about the process.

What is a Literature Review?

A Literature Review IS.. .

• a selective, integrated analysis and synthesis of what has been researched and published on a particular topic
• a process, typically starting from selecting a topic to review and concluding with writing a manuscript to report the published works on the topic
• an iterative process: you may have to keep coming back to previous stage(s) to refine your topic, modify the search statements, and/or revise a working thesis, etc.

A Good Literature Review IS NOT...

• a mere summary of what you have read on a topic
• a summary of everything that is reported on a topic
• an annotated bibliography 

         ...BUT IS

• a critical summary of relevant and selective literature on the topic
• written in clear language
• a piece of research on its own

         ...AND DOES

• situate and focus your research in context
• use credible and most relevant sources
• add value to the existing knowledge on the topic

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The Florida State University Reading-Writing Center and Digital Studio offers writing support to all FSU students across all the disciplines.

• FSU Reading-Writing Center (RWC) an inclusive resource for FSU students of all majors, programs, and backgrounds. Whether you are working on a project, a paper, or any range of writing, the RWC is excited to assist you in any stage of your work process.

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A State of the Art Literature Review on Digital Transformation

• First Online: 15 November 2022

Cite this chapter

• Elif Haktanır 11 ,
• Cengiz Kahraman 12 ,
• Sezi Çevik Onar 12 ,
• Başar Öztayşi 12 &
• Selçuk Çebi 13  

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 549))

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Digital transformation (DT) is the integration of digital technology by transforming all manual and semi-manual processes of business into full digital processes. In this chapter we review the DT status of the business sectors automotive, energy, smart manufacturing, white goods, health, banking, tourism, insurance, education, smart cities, and transportation. Tabular and graphical illustrations are presented for several perspectives such as number of studies on DT, subject areas of DT publications, and document types of these publications. We conclude the chapter with future research suggestions and comments on the future of DT.

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Past Achievements and Future Promises of Digital Transformation: A Literature Review

Identification and Classification of the Effects of Digital Transformation on Business

Digital Transformation in Business

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Elif Haktanır

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Cengiz Kahraman, Sezi Çevik Onar & Başar Öztayşi

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Haktanır, E., Kahraman, C., Onar, S.Ç., Öztayşi, B., Çebi, S. (2023). A State of the Art Literature Review on Digital Transformation. In: Kahraman, C., Haktanır, E. (eds) Intelligent Systems in Digital Transformation. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 549. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16598-6_1

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The Insomnia and Dream Visions of Medieval Literature

“I have gre[a]t wonder, b[y] this light,” begins the narrator of medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer’s Book of the Duchess , “How that I lyve, for day [and] nyght / I may n[o]t sleep . . . .” So tormented is he by his insomnia—which he has horrifyingly endured for eight long years—that he has “fe[el]nge in nothing.” This prolonged sleeplessness, he says, is against “kynde,” against nature. No “e[a]rthly creature” can endure it. Lack of sleep changes our disposition; it deprives us of the will to live and the capacity to respond emotionally or with any life at all to the world around us.

Over the past several years, popular interest has been captured by medieval sleep patterns. This interest is a product of the collision between the wellness movement’s fascination with the relationship between sleep and health and new historical research into what sleep practices looked like in the premodern world. And it has resulted in a flurry of articles asking the question if the medieval practice of “second sleep” could fix modern insomnia.

Historian A. Roger Ekirch first spurred interest in second sleep with his 2006 book, At Day’s Close: Night in Times Past . As Ekirch describes it, medieval practitioners would sleep for a few hours, wake after midnight to enjoy a brief period of wakefulness, and then return to sleep. Tracking references to second sleep through a wide range of sources, Ekirch goes so far as to suggest that this sleep pattern might have been a (if not the ) natural sleep pattern in prehistoric times before the advent of artificial light. Part of the appeal of second sleep for the wellness crowd has been that some studies suggest that the wakeful period in second sleep has a unique endocrinology that affects hormone production and induces a state similar to meditation. At their best, contemporary essays treat second sleep as a touchstone for considering divergent forms of sleep; at their worst, they treat second sleep as a “how to guide,” an atavistic wellness ritual. If we return to this earlier form of sleep, they suggest, then we will sleep better and, consequently, be better, and healthier, versions of ourselves.

Somewhat perversely, this is an essay not on second sleep but on medieval insomnia. An enormously popular trope in medieval texts across a number of genres—from poetry to autobiography to philosophy—insomnia was everywhere in medieval texts. And, as the lines from Chaucer suggest, it was frequently excruciating. Margery Kempe, the first autobiographer to write in English, was tormented by visions of devils that kept her awake at night after the birth of a child. John Gower, Chaucer’s close contemporary, makes age-induced, frustrated insomnia into a central feature of his main character, Amans, in the Confessio Amantis . What these examples of medieval insomnia reveal is a distinctly medieval anxiety about sleep; or, rather, what they reveal is that insomnia in medieval texts was often a powerful literary device for investigating cultural and individual anxieties. Thinking with insomniacs allowed medieval writers a valuable space to explore their deepest fears, hopes, and worries.

But how—and why —was the exploration of medieval insomnia so productive? The answer is partly generic. The literary space of the medieval insomniac coincides with that of an important medieval literary genre called the dream vision. Dream visions were narratively complex works in which a dreamer was propelled in their sleep through an often symbolically dense dreamscape populated by allegorical figures and surrealist landscapes. In these dream visions, the dreamer would often engage in philosophically complex work—imagining, as the writer and philosopher Christine de Pizan did, what a city might look like when populated only by women, or, as English poet William Langland did, staging complex allegorical investigations into social and religious reform. Insomnia wasn’t the sole propulsion into the world of the dream vision. It was, however, a common one, with authors frequently pairing the underlying causes for the narrator’s insomnia with the subject of the dream vision.

One of the consequences of this is that medieval dream visions also offer a glimpse into various, often comedic, accounts of the desperate ends to which people might go to cure insomnia: fall asleep on top of Roman poetry (Chaucer’s Book of the Duchess ); be scolded by an old man in a field (Thomas Hoccleve’s Regiment of Princes ); pray to Morpheus, god of sleep (Jean Froissart’s Paradys d’Amours ); fall into a trance while thinking about your long-lost love (James I’s Kingis Quair ). To these we might also add recommendations from philosophical and medical treatises : visit the tomb of William of Norwich, hang out with St. Bartholomew’s relics, listen to soothing sounds like water trickling over shells, have a nice bath. None of these are as eye-catching or, in many cases, as achievable as pursuing second sleep—St. Bartholomew’s relics are no longer in Yarmouth anyway—making them less likely to be taken up by contemporary wellness culture. These cures, however, do reveal what any modern insomniac knows (and what I certainly know when I find myself awake again at 3 a.m.): to grapple with insomnia is often to grapple with one’s own fears and anxieties.

This may seem an obvious thing to say—that our fears and worries make us sleepless—but the ways it plays out in medieval dream visions are anything but simple. These medieval insomnia narratives suggest that the insomniac, pushed to their limit and then suddenly catapulted into a dream-rich sleep, gains new insights into the various social or poetic problems that caused their sleeplessness because of this sleeplessness. Insomnia becomes not a critical hurdle to be overcome, but a crucial element in the process of gaining insight.

Take the Book of the Duchess . The narrator describes feeling listless, pushed to the very limits of life and existence. He cannot tell why he cannot sleep, and he is tormented by not only a lack of feeling but also “fantasies” that move through his mind. So far gone is he that when he picks up a collection of stories by the Roman poet Ovid and reads the story of Ceyx, a king who dies in a shipwreck, and Alcyone, his queen who dies by suicide when she learns of his death, the narrator mistakes their tragic love story for a sort of instruction manual for contacting the god of sleep. When the narrator finally falls asleep on top of Ovid, exhausted, he subsequently enters into a strange and difficult dream about a Black Knight grieving the sudden death of his beloved. It is in the push and pull of both insomniac musings and dream encounters that the narrator learns something valuable: how to recognize grief and loss when he sees them. Once unable to recognize romantic loss in a book of poetry, in the final moments of the dream vision the narrator learns what grief is. His final haunting words to the grieving Black Knight—“Is that youre los? B[y] God, [it is] routhe”—sum up the terrible and painful nature of loss that cannot be corrected, only mourned. Routhe , which refers to a deep sorrow but also connotes necessary empathy, suggests that the narrator has learned to see sorrow and to feel with others in response to it. That this process also cures his insomnia has led some critics to consider that perhaps this was the narrator’s (unacknowledged) problem all along—that he too had lost a love and failed to recognize and mourn it. Only in recognizing and processing grief with another is his sleep restored.

I’m not suggesting here that we treat medieval insomnia narratives as guides for how to harness insomnia for greater wisdom or poetic creativity. Instead I want to gesture to what medieval insomnia narratives try to grapple with: what it means to live with and accept fear and anxiety. Chaucer’s poem, for all that it is a lengthy meditation on grief, is amazingly non-didactic or condescending about the inherent challenge of this process. This is in many ways a feature of this genre of insomniac dream visions. They offer no (sincere) advice on fixing grief or insomnia, only a recognition of the painful reality of living with both. This lack of didacticism suggests what’s so fundamentally skewed about our current cultural fascination with second sleep. In looking to the past, hopes pinned on second sleep are often looking to put off the anxieties of the present. If we go back to a pattern of the past, we believe, when people could sleep, or at least slept differently, then we don’t have to confront the reality of our own individual and cultural fears and anxieties—our own lack of sleep. But that isn’t the way anxiety works, and it’s not the way you fix sleep. As any medieval insomniac would tell you, you can’t escape bad sleep by retreating into the past.

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Presenting the 12 Educators Selected for the Kenyon Review Writing Retreat!

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers has once again partnered with the Kenyon Review to offer summer writing scholarships for educators participating in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! Educators with a student who entered the 2024 Awards were eligible to apply for tuition coverage to attend an online, six-day workshop series to hone their writing and teaching practices through the Kenyon Review’s Summer Online Writers Workshop for Teachers. 

Thank you and congratulations to the following twelve educators for earning their position in this year’s cohort of educator-writers! 

Jared Agard is originally from Sacramento, CA, but now lives and teaches in Beaverton, OR. His novel Dread Watch was published in 2021 and he is currently working on a YA science fiction novel. His completed contemporary novel seeks to help young people communicate if they are victims of sexual harassment or abuse.  

Mazerick Betko is a multidisciplinary artist and teacher in Birmingham, Alabama. They use writing, music, bookmaking, drawing, and performance to tell stories about intimacy, heartbreak, damaging memories, and hope. Their work is interested in the contradictions of intimacy and how we can move through the world with more grace. 

Sara Brock lives in New York City. For more than twenty years, she has been teaching English in a public high school on Long Island, filling up tiny notebooks on early morning train rides. Her essays have appeared in books about teaching and learning. When she’s not in her classroom, she’s painting at her easel, biking along the river, or walking in the park with her family. 

Dasha Brown , also known as Day Summer, is a writer from Queens, New York, who writes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. She is known for being a regional judge for Poetry Out Loud and welcoming visiting author Rachel Wiley to Susquehanna University. Dasha holds her bachelor’s degree in creative writing-Secondary Education and is currently teaching at one of the best schools in Pennsylvania. She uses her natural talent for writing to educate the youth on unlocking their creative abilities. She is currently working on a novel called This is where it starts that tackles racism and finding your truth. 

Julia Bucci teaches English at Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA. Her work has appeared or will appear in publications including Cognoscenti , Gyroscope Review , SBLAAM , and Teach.Write ; in micro film festivals; and on the Moth Radio Hour. Julia holds a bachelor’s degree in Humanities from the University of Chicago and a PhD in English from UMass Amherst. Julia’s other teaching adventures include coaching screenwriters and teaching life writing to older adults. As a Moth educator with training in digital storytelling, and she does her best work writing with, or for, her students. 

Lilia Guimares is a Brazilian English and Creative writing teacher based in Aurora, CO.  

Maria Illich is an award-winning educator and author living in Houston, where she teaches middle school English and creative writing. Her passion for literacy—especially among the young—prompted her to found the Middle School Poetry Fest in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Some of her awards include those from the Press Women of Texas, the National Federation of Press Women, and the Texas Institute of Letters. Her poems and stories appear in various journals and anthologies.  

Patricia A. Jackson is a high school English and Creative Writing teacher in Pennsylvania. Her debut novel Forging A Nightmare (Angry Robot) is a delightfully heretical urban fantasy with a Black-led cast of fallen angels, infernal warhorses, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. No stranger to writing science fiction/fantasy, her favorite creative playground is in the Star Wars universe. Patricia’s best known works are Black Sands of Socorro (WestEnd Games) , a smugglers’ sourcebook, and “The Final Exit,” a short story about a dark Jedi’s redemption. Her latest tale from a galaxy far, far away is “Gone to the Winner’s Circle” featured in A Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi (Random House/Penguin). She briefly crossed universes in Star Trek: Women Take the Conn (Betsy Books) with the essay “Nyota Uhura: Not Just Another Token.”  

Elina Kumra is a BIPOC writing teacher and lives in San Jose, California. Her poems and fiction have been published in Quarterly West , Wingless Dreamer , Reed Magazine , Up North Lit , Writer’s Digest , Quibble Lit , StreetLit , Coffin Bell , Polyphony Lit , Death Rattle , Typishly , Cathexis NorthWest Press , Tint Journal , and the Peauxdunque Review . She is 2024 Reed Magazine Emerging Voices Winner, a finalist in Quarterly West, Fractured Lit, Ouroboros, and a semi-finalist in the Nine-Syllables Chapbook Contest. 

Margaret Monteith holds a BA from USC, an MFA from Brooklyn College, and a Masters from Columbia University. She has received scholarships to attend the Cuttyhunk Island Residency, a residency at the Wassaic Project, and an NEH teacher’s stipend. She has attended Sewanee, Bread Loaf, and Tin House. She is also a two-time semi-finalist for the James Jones First Novel Fellowship, a semi-finalist for the Iowa Short Fiction Award, a finalist for the Southwest Review’s David Nathan Meyerson Fiction Prize, and a semi-finalist for The L Magazine ‘s Literary Upstart. Her writing has appeared in BOMB , Fugue, Evergreen Review , Gargoyle , and elsewhere. 

With a BA in English Education and an MFA in Creative Writing, Lori Novick-Carson has spent most of her life teaching literature and writing. She has taught at the middle school, high school, and college levels, and currently teaches Creative Writing, AP Literature, and Junior Honors English at Sharon High School in Massachusetts. She is a recipient of the Facing History and Ourselves Margot Stern Strong Teaching Award and the UC Santa Barbara Inspiration Award for Outstanding Teacher.  

Jen Siraganian is an Armenian-American writer, educator, and former Poet Laureate of Los Gatos, California. A graduate of Brown University and University of Arkansas, she has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, awarded a Lucas Arts Fellowship, and profiled in San Francisco Chronicle and The Mercury News . Her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in Best New Poets, AGNI, Prairie Schooner, Southwest Review, Mid-American Review, Smartish Pace , and other journals and anthologies. She has served as Managing Director for Litquake: San Francisco’s Literary Festival and taught literature and creative writing in schools and community settings for twenty years. Jensiraganian.com 

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Brodhead to serve as yale center for british art’s interim director.

Richard Brodhead

Richard Brodhead, a former senior leader at Yale and Duke Universities, will serve as interim director of the Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) while the university seeks a successor to departing director Courtney J. Martin.

Brodhead, a former dean of Yale College who went on to become president of Duke, starts in the interim role July 1, Yale President Peter Salovey said in announcing the news Wednesday. Brodhead will serve until the new YCBA director arrives.

“ His expertise and experience in leading educational institutions, deep ties to Yale University, and personal commitment to the arts will be invaluable as the museum prepares to reopen to the public in 2025, following the completion of the current building conservation project ,” Salovey wrote in his announcement.

Martin has accepted an appointment as the next executive director of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and will complete her service as YCBA director on June 30, as previously announced .

Brodhead earned a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in English from Yale before joining the faculty in 1972. A specialist in American literature and cultural history, he was named the A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of English and chaired the English department before becoming dean of Yale College in 1993. Brodhead left Yale in 2004 to serve as the ninth president of Duke.

During a 13-year tenure as Duke’s president, Brodhead “championed the arts, prioritized access, and oversaw the renovation of the university’s historic campus, among other accomplishments,” Salovey said.

A search advisory committee has been formed to identify Martin’s successor. Members of the Yale community can recommend candidates and share their thoughts and ideas about the future of the museum through this webform , Salovey wrote.

“ I am grateful to Dr. Brodhead for being willing to lead the YCBA during this time of transition,” Salovey said. “I would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate my appreciation of the great energy and thoughtful leadership that Dr. Martin has brought to her role as the YCBA director.”

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