Literature Review Chapter

How to Write a Literature Review Chapter

Writing a literature review chapter is a crucial component of a dissertation or thesis. It systematically evaluates the existing research and publications relevant to your research question. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial:

Introduction

• Restate the Problem and Purpose:
  • Start with a clear statement of the research problem your study is addressing.

• Explain the purpose of your research, focusing on what you aim to discover or elucidate.

• Summarize these findings succinctly, highlighting their relevance to your research problem.

• This preview acts as a roadmap for the reader, setting expectations for the structure of your review.

Literature Search Strategy

• Databases and Search Engines:
  • List all the databases and search engines you used, explaining why each was chosen based on relevance to your field of study.
• Search Terms:
  • Detail the initial search terms and how they evolved during your research process.

• Explain the logic behind the combinations of terms and any adjustments made to refine the search.

• Mention any challenges encountered and how they were addressed.

Theoretical Foundation (If Applicable)

• Theory Naming and Origin:
  • Identify the theory or theories central to your study, providing context about their development and key contributors.
• Theoretical Propositions and Hypotheses:
  • Detail the main propositions or hypotheses derived from the theory, explaining how they apply to your study.

• Discuss any assumptions inherent in these theories as they relate to your research.

Conceptual Framework (If Applicable)

• Concept Identification and Definition:
  • Define the central concept or phenomenon under investigation, ensuring clarity and precision.
• Synthesis of Primary Writings:
  • Aggregate critical writings on the concept, synthesizing their core ideas and definitions.
• Previous Applications and Articulation:
  • Discuss how the concept has been previously applied, drawing connections to your study’s focus and methodology.

Literature Review Related to Key Variables and Concepts

• Exhaustive Current Literature Review:
  • Conduct a thorough review, summarizing studies on your key variables and methodological approach.
• Research Approaches:
  • Analyze the methodologies used in previous research, noting their strengths and limitations.
• Rationale for Variable Selection:
  • Justify the selection of your study’s variables or concepts, linking them to the literature.
• Synthesis of Studies on Key Concepts:
  • Synthesize findings from previous research, identifying areas of agreement, controversy, and gaps in knowledge.
• Relation to Research Questions:
  • Align your research approach with the gaps identified in the literature, explaining how your study addresses these gaps.

Summary and Conclusions

• Significant Themes:
  • Summarize your literature review’s key themes and findings, emphasizing their relevance to your research question.
• Knowledge Gaps:
  • Highlight the gaps in the literature that your study aims to fill, providing a clear rationale for your research.
• Study’s Contribution:
  • Describe how your research addresses at least one gap in the literature and extends knowledge within your discipline.
• Transitional Material
  • Provide a transition that connects the literature review chapter to the next chapter of your thesis or dissertation.