Literature reviews analyze and evaluate previously published material on a topic. When they appear in journals, they are referred to as review articles or critical review essays.
The literature review process. From Diana Ridley, The Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students (2008), p. 81
Knopf, Jeffrey W. 2006. "Doing a Literature Review." PS, Political Science & Politics 39 (1): 127-132.
The Fundamentals of Political Science Research by 