A Guide to Writing the Dissertation Literature Review
Sometimes, you have a guide from your college or university, or you have information from your professor, but when you sit and try to write, the page remains blank. It happens, and there’s no need to be upset or berate yourself. Just give yourself time to clarify the details of what a dissertation literature review is and how to write it.
Sometimes, the guides and professor’s explanations aren’t clear enough. It’s because they are provided by people deeply immersed in the scientific context. However, for people who didn’t reach such depth, those explanations can lead to the thought, “I want to pay someone to help me write my dissertation.” It’s okay to get a helping hand when you need it. But first, let’s try to figure it all out independently.
Purpose of the Literature Review
Before writing any part of your dissertation, it’s important to clarify for yourself why it’s needed. A literature review is a complex and challenging work, but it covers a few significant points.
- Contextualizing your research
No knowledge exists in a vacuum. It’s always important to pay close attention to the connections between different areas or facts. The literature review allows for the context of the problem or question that is to be investigated.
- Identifying gaps in existing knowledge
The author of any dissertation needs to validate the research’s uniqueness and relevance to the chosen field. That can’t be done without a review of the existing knowledge and pointing to a gap in it. In fact, the gap in the current knowledge is one of the most important explanations of why the research must be done and is essential.
Preparing for the Literature Review
Hopefully, the purpose of the literature review is clear now. But how shall one start work on it? The plan is simple.
- Selecting relevant sources
Find as many relevant sources as you can. Collect articles, dissertations, monographs, or any other kind of scientific literature related to the topic of your dissertation. Some of them you will use to support your ideas, and others will only get short mentions in the review. But at first, you need all of them, regardless of years of writing, because sometimes even the oldest sources can be useful for current studies.
- Organizing your research materials
You will probably have a lot of sources to work with. Organize them to know which are the most useful and which you need less. You will make your work on the dissertation easier if you make notes on how you plan to use each source.
- Creating a system for note-taking
While some sources will be briefly mentioned, you might use comprehensive citations from others. It’s helpful to create a system of notes so you don’t lose places you will cite in your review.
Structure of the Literature Review
Any text becomes better if the writer makes a structure before starting writing. You have a few options for the literature review structure:
- Chronological approach
The most obvious one. You show chronological development of investigation related to your topic. It ends with the most recent studies, and you’re pointing to the gap you will cover.
- Thematic approach
If the literature you collected has several themes, this approach can be helpful for you. Choose the theme you want to start with and end with one that emphasizes the usefulness of your dissertation.
- Methodological approach
If your topic deals with several methodologies, you have to consider all of them. Hence, the literature review will include such observations and end with the methodology you find the most effective.
Writing the Literature Review
Once you’ve gathered your sources and decided on a structure, it’s time to dive into the actual writing. This part is where you showcase your understanding and critical thinking skills. Let’s break it down into key aspects:
- Synthesizing information
Don’t just summarize each source separately. Instead, weave together information from multiple sources to create a cohesive narrative. Look for connections between different studies and highlight how they relate to your research question. This synthesis demonstrates your ability to see the bigger picture in your field.
- Critical analysis of sources
Going beyond mere description, you need to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each study. Consider the methodologies used, the sample sizes, and the validity of conclusions drawn. This critical approach shows that you’re not just accepting information at face value but actively engaging with it.
- Maintaining objectivity
While it’s natural to have your own views, a literature review isn’t the place for personal opinions. Present different perspectives fairly, even if they contradict your own hypothesis. This objectivity lends credibility to your work and shows that you’ve considered all angles of the topic.
- Identifying trends and patterns
As you write, keep an eye out for recurring themes or evolving trends in your field. Are certain methodologies gaining popularity? Has the focus of research shifted over time? Highlighting these patterns can provide valuable context for your own study and help position your work within the broader academic conversation.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Sometimes, it’s useful to learn from other people’s mistakes in addition to your own. So here is a short list of the most common mistakes in writing a literature review:
- Lack of focus
When you work with a lot of sources, it’s easy to lose your focus and start writing about something that isn’t quite related to your topic. However, for a well-written review, you need to stay focused on the main theme or object of your research.
- Overreliance on quotations
Yes, you need other sources to show that your own is credible and needed. However, in your research, your voice must be dominant. It’s easy to hide behind the quotations or use them for word count. However, remember the purpose of the literature review and try to avoid such lazy ways.
- Insufficient critical analysis
Your aim isn’t only to take a look at the sources you collected. You must also critically analyze them, at least those you will actively use for your research. Remember, criticism is an analysis and evaluation. Make this for the majority of your sources, and you’ll get the properly written literature review.