How Literature Reviews Benefit UCLA Psychobiology Majors: Valerie’s Story

Close your eyes and imagine that you’re a freshman at UCLA, sitting in your first class with all those first-day jitters. Your professor begins the class by telling you that, to succeed as a UCLA psychobiology major, you will need to master literature reviews. 

Your stomach drops. What’s a literature review? 

Valerie, a UCLA psychobiology major and Polygence alum, knows this all too well. 

Through her experience with Polygence's research mentorship program, where she explored CBT versus medication treatments, Valerie learned that literature reviews are the foundation that transforms curious students like you into confident researchers.

Why Literature Reviews Are Important for Psychobiology Majors at UCLA

Literature reviews form the backbone of scientific research, helping you understand what researchers have already discovered and to identify gaps that warrant further study. For psychobiology majors at UCLA, this skill is even more essential because the field combines psychology and biology in sometimes complex ways.

It may be helpful to think of literature reviews as your research GPS, guiding you through existing knowledge and helping you land on meaningful questions. When you understand current treatments for mental health conditions, for example, you can better appreciate why some therapies work and others don’t.

For Valerie, this process began with her Polygence project. "My Polygence project was writing a literature review. For my literature review, I decided to explore CBT, which is cognitive behavioral therapy, and drugs and their effects on anxiety and depression. This was my first time doing any sort of research, and I had no idea what a literature review was."

When you can quickly grasp existing research findings, you adapt faster to lab work or internships and contribute more meaningfully to ongoing projects.

Literature reviews also prepare you for designing your own experiments, like Valerie did. When you understand what previous studies found, you can spot methodological weaknesses or explore related questions that haven't been answered yet.

Common Challenges Psychobiology Majors Face When Conducting Literature Reviews

As you might imagine, learning how to conduct effective literature reviews isn’t always straightforward, nor is it easy. 

The sheer volume of scientific literature can feel overwhelming. PubMed alone contains over 39 million citations with more being added by the day. Figuring out which studies are most relevant to your topic requires strategy and practice.

Choosing the Right Structure

Not all literature reviews look the same. In fact, the way you organize your review can make a huge difference in clarity and impact. Two common approaches include:

• Thematic (Topical) Review: Group studies together based on shared themes or research questions (e.g., studies on cognitive-behavioral therapy vs. studies on pharmacological treatments). This structure highlights patterns across different studies.

• Source-by-Source Review: Summarize and critique one source at a time, weaving connections as you go. This style works well for shorter assignments or when studies are highly diverse.

How to Select Strong Sources for Your Review

One of the biggest hurdles is knowing which studies are worth including. A good literature review isn’t just a list of articles—it’s a carefully curated set of high-quality research. Before including a study, ask yourself:

• Is it current? In fast-moving fields like neuroscience or mental health, prioritize studies published within the last 5–10 years.

• Is it credible? Peer-reviewed journals, academic publishers, and university-affiliated sources should be your go-to.

• Does it fit my scope? Make sure the study directly addresses your research question or theme.

• Is it appropriate for my field? For psychobiology, lean toward empirical studies and meta-analyses over anecdotal reports.

Asking the Right Critical Questions

Reading a study isn’t the same as critically evaluating it. As you go through sources, challenge yourself with these questions:

• What was the purpose of this study?

• Were the methods appropriate and clearly explained?

• What assumptions did the researchers make?

• Did the authors identify limitations or potential biases?

• How does this study’s population or methodology compare to others on the same topic?

By asking these questions, you’ll move beyond simply summarizing research—you’ll learn how to analyze and synthesize findings in a way that adds real value.

Understanding different study methodologies adds another layer of complexity. A randomized controlled trial provides different types of evidence than a case study or meta-analysis. You need to learn how to evaluate these different approaches and understand their strengths and limitations.

Synthesizing diverse findings into coherent narratives is undoubtedly challenging. You might find ten studies that seem to contradict each other, only to realize they're measuring slightly different outcomes or using different populations. Learning to identify these nuances takes time and practice.

Balancing literature review work with coursework and extracurriculars creates additional pressure. UCLA students often juggle demanding class schedules with lab work, clubs, and social activities. Finding the time to dive deep into research literature requires good time management skills.

Valerie’s 4 Key Benefits of Literature Reviews for Psychobiology Majors

So what are the benefits of literature reviews for psychobiology majors, from Valerie’s perspective? Here’s what she said: 

Building Research Literacy

Learning how to read and interpret scientific studies can revolutionize the way you approach your field and is a key advantage of literature reviews. You may not realize it yet as a high school student, but research papers follow very specific formats and use specialized language that can seem intimidating at first.

Through her own literature review project, Valerie gained the ability to extract key information from complex studies. She learned to identify research questions, understand methodologies, and interpret results. These skills proved invaluable when she joined a UCLA lab focusing on depression, stress, and brain inflammation.

Of course, research literacy extends far beyond the mere reading of papers. You also need to learn how to evaluate source credibility, understand statistical significance, and recognize potential biases in study design. These skills will come together to help you become a more informed consumer of scientific information throughout the rest of your career.

Enhancing Critical Thinking

Literature reviews push you to move beyond accepting information at face value. You learn to ask probing questions about research methodology, sample sizes, and potential confounding variables.

You also develop the ability to compare studies with different approaches and identify patterns across multiple research projects, figuring out how to spot inconsistencies and think about possible explanations for conflicting results.

The critical thinking skills gained through literature reviews transfer to other areas of academic work. You become better at analyzing arguments, evaluating evidence, and forming well-reasoned conclusions in your coursework and future careers.

Improving Scientific Writing Skills

Organizing information logically and clearly becomes second nature through the practice of literature review. You learn to create coherent narratives that connect multiple research findings and present complex information in accessible ways.

Writing literature reviews teaches you to summarize key points without losing important details. You’ll practice transitioning between topics smoothly and building arguments that flow logically from one section to the next.

These writing skills prove valuable in lab reports, research proposals, and graduate school applications. When you can communicate scientific information clearly, you stand out more in competitive academic and professional environments.

Gaining Confidence for Future Research

When you have a solid literature review under your belt, you’re better prepared for whatever research comes next. And understanding what’s already known helps you ask better questions and design smarter experiments.

Valerie credits her early experience with inspiring her next steps. “Polygence allowed me to dip my toes into it. Now, I'm doing a lab at UCLA also on depression, stress, and inflammation of the brain. Doing the literature review project in high school inspired me to do more in psychology, and it led me to where I am now.”

TL:DR: If you build your literature review skills now, you’ll feel comfortable sharing your ideas with professors and lab supervisors. You’ll be able to talk knowledgeably about your interests and take part in important research conversations.

The Role of Mentors and Academic Support

Remember that literature reviews don’t have to be a solo journey. Valerie benefited from having guidance during her Polygence project, and you can do the same at UCLA.

• Librarians can help you develop smarter search strategies.

• Professors and TAs can give feedback on your topic selection and scope.

• Peers and study groups can provide fresh perspectives on the same readings.

Reaching out early not only makes your review stronger but also helps you build relationships in your academic community.

How Valerie Navigates the UCLA Environment

UCLA’s campus is sprawling, complex, and, yes, sometimes intimidating. Needless to say, making the right connections takes a little effort and some social savvy.

Valerie stresses the value of good communication. “I think one thing that first-year students should work on before coming to college is really knowing how to small talk. Since UCLA is such a huge campus and you're constantly meeting people every day, I had to strengthen my small talk skills and learn how to keep a conversation flowing.”

And it’s not just about classes or research. The day-to-day stuff matters, too. “When I came to UCLA, it took time for me to figure out when I would eat lunch or dinner. Small things like that and just being more independent were struggles for me, but with time and with good support and friends, it definitely got better.”

You’ll find your community in labs, clubs, or maybe even in the UCLA Symphony Orchestra, like Valerie. These groups are where you’ll meet people who support you both academically and personally.

Advice for First-Year Psychobiology Students

You’ll need more than just academic smarts to thrive at UCLA. You also need good communication skills, which help you form study groups, connect with professors, and start building your network.

Getting into the habit of managing your time and taking care of yourself is important, too. College gives you freedom, but it’s up to you to create your own routines and structure.

Jump at research opportunities if you can; they build your confidence and help you figure out what path really excites you. You don’t have to wait until your later years, either, despite what many students assume. Indeed, the sooner you start, the more options you’ll have later on.

Valerie picked UCLA for the myriad research options. “I chose UCLA because it's such a top research facility. There are so many labs to choose from and professors to look up to. I wanted to go to a school where I could also participate in research, and UCLA was great for me in that aspect.”

Leveraging Literature Reviews for Academic and Career Success

If you practice literature reviews consistently, you’ll sharpen skills that will carry you far, whether you’re headed to grad school, medical school, or right into a psychology career.

Valerie’s story is proof that getting involved with literature reviews early on can spark a deeper interest in research and help you go further in your field. Her high school project led straight to her current lab work at UCLA, a real example of how foundational this skill can be.

Want to follow in her footsteps? Start seeking out research opportunities that pique your interest. Our programs at Polygence are here to help you learn the ropes with guidance. 

Sure, literature reviews might not seem as thrilling as conducting experiments or working in a clinic at first glance. 

But make no mistake: they provide the groundwork that makes all those experiences possible. Mastering this skill as a UCLA psychobiology major sets you up for a deeper understanding, better research, and an academic career full of possibilities.