What Is a Literature Review? A Simple Explainer + Practical Examples

If you’re undertaking a dissertation or any formal academic research project, you’ve likely come across the term literature review. But what exactly is a literature review, and why is it so important? Here we’ll explain what a literature review is, its purpose, and how to approach writing it.

What Is a Literature Review?

The term literature review can refer to two things within the research process:

1. The process of reviewing existing literature: This is when you search for and read academic articles, books, and credible sources related to your research topic.
2. The literature review chapter in your dissertation or thesis: This is where you summarise, analyse, and synthesise the key findings from the literature that relates to your study.

The literature review chapter is typically the second chapter of a dissertation or thesis, and it serves as an overview of the current knowledge in your research area. In this chapter, you’ll outline what’s already been studied, highlight gaps in the research, and provide the foundation for your own work.

The Purpose of a Literature Review

A well-written literature review serves several key purposes in a dissertation or thesis:

1. Demonstrate Your Knowledge

The first function of a literature review is to show that you have a deep understanding of your research topic. It demonstrates to your reader (and your examiners) that you’ve thoroughly examined the relevant literature and are aware of the key theories, debates, and developments in your field.

However, it’s not just about listing what each author has said. A good literature review synthesises the existing research, showing how different ideas and studies fit together. It highlights areas of agreement and disagreement and identifies where more research is needed.

2. Reveal the Research Gap

One of the most critical roles of a literature review is to highlight the gap in the existing research—this is where your study comes in. The literature review should demonstrate that while some areas have been explored, there is still something missing, and your research aims to fill that gap. This establishes the originality and value of your study.

3. Build a Conceptual Framework

In some cases, your literature review will also help you build a conceptual framework for your study. This framework maps out the key factors or variables that you’ll examine in your research, based on what previous studies have found. For example, if your research focuses on the causes of burnout in office workers, you’ll draw on existing studies to identify potential factors (e.g., long hours, excessive stress), which will then form the basis of your conceptual framework.

4. Inform Your Research Methodology

Finally, the literature review can also help you shape your research methodology. By reviewing similar studies, you can learn from their research design and data collection methods. For example, you might decide to use a well-established survey tool from a previous study or adopt a similar data analysis technique. This not only saves time but also helps ensure your methodology is solid and appropriate for your research questions.

How to Find High-Quality Literature

Finding reliable and relevant sources is crucial for a successful literature review. Here are a few tips for sourcing high-quality literature:

• Google Scholar: This is an excellent starting point for academic articles. It’s like Google but specifically for scholarly literature. Keep in mind, however, that Google Scholar often lists articles behind paywalls, so you may need access to a university library.
• University Libraries: Most universities provide access to extensive online databases and journals. Use these resources to find articles you identified on Google Scholar but couldn’t access.
• ResearchGate: Another useful platform, ResearchGate allows you to access publications and even request copies directly from authors.

To ensure you’re using the best resources, pay close attention to the keywords used in the articles you read. Use these keywords to search for more relevant studies. Also, make sure to prioritise recent research—older studies can be outdated, especially in fast-evolving fields.

How to Structure Your Literature Review

The structure of your literature review will depend on your research topic and approach, but here are a few common ways to organise it:

• Thematic: Group your sources by key themes or topics within your research area.
• Chronological: Organise the literature based on the timeline of research developments.
• Methodological: Group sources based on the methods they used.
• By Variable: Structure your review around the key variables in your study.

In general, it’s a good idea to start broad and then narrow your focus toward your specific research questions. The key is to synthesise the literature—don’t just summarise it. Your review should tell a coherent story about what is known, what is still unknown, and how your research will contribute to filling those gaps.

Example of a Literature Review

To help you visualise what a strong literature review looks like, we’ve provided a video that walks you through an example from a dissertation that received distinction. This will give you a clear idea of how to integrate and structure your review.

Wrapping Up: What Is a Literature Review?

To recap, a literature review is a critical part of your dissertation or thesis. It involves reviewing the existing research, identifying gaps in the knowledge, and positioning your study within the broader academic context. The literature review serves multiple purposes: demonstrating your knowledge, justifying your research, building a conceptual framework, and informing your methodology.

By following these steps and structuring your literature review effectively, you’ll lay a strong foundation for your research and increase the chances of a successful dissertation or thesis.

Need help with your literature review? Grad Coach offers expert guidance to help you craft a comprehensive literature review and succeed in your research journey. Book a free consultation with a friendly coach today.