Specific of Literature Review
The literature reviews may be the parts of the different academic papers. We distinguish the coursework literature review, and the research paper review of literature, and the dissertation literature review. We are not likely to make mistake if we will tell you that this is not the complete list of the papers which include the literature review.
The specific of the literature review of each academic paper consists in the number of analyzed sources. The way and the manner of presentation of the facts never differ. However, the number of sources influences directly the size of the review. For the coursework, it is enough to look through just four of five sources. Hence, the review of literature will take no more than two printed pages. As for the research paper, it is needed to analyze at least ten or fifteen sources, and you are likely to devote not less than five printed pages to such a review. Finally, writing a dissertation, you will deal with a greater number of additional materials, and your literature review will grow.
You see, this difference is also specific. This is what you should discus with your supervisor before setting to work. Whatever sort of the academic paper you prepare, you should put the number of the sources to review clearer from the narrow beginning. You cannot decide this question on your own. And even if it seems to you that you know exactly how many sources presupposes one or another type of papers, you had better put it clearer with the supervisor in order to avoid misunderstanding.