Review of related literature

A review of related literature is a critical analysis of existing research, theories and findings relevant to a specific topic. It identifies gaps, establishes the study’s context and demonstrates an understanding of prior work. This review helps justify the research by showing how it builds on or differs from previous studies.

This blog post discusses the definition, purpose, scope and structure of a review of related literature while providing a step-by-step guide on how to write one. It also identifies the types of academic texts that include literature reviews and presents a structured template to help organise content effectively. Additionally, it explains how copyediting and proofreading services refine literature reviews by improving clarity, coherence and academic integrity. Finally, it offers a list of resources to support researchers in writing a well-structured and comprehensive review.

• Review of related literature: Definition | Purpose | Scope | Structure
• How to write a review of related literature
• Academic texts that include a review of related literature
• Review of related literature template
• Editing services
• Resources

Definition

A review of related literature is an analysis of existing research relevant to a specific topic. It summarises, evaluates, and synthesises previous studies to establish a foundation for new research.

Key features of a review of related literature:

• Provides context: It situates the research within existing knowledge.
• Identifies gaps: It highlights areas that need further investigation.
• Synthesises findings: It compares and contrasts studies to reveal patterns and trends.
• Supports methodology: It informs the research design by analysing past methods.
• Strengthens arguments: It uses existing evidence to justify the study’s significance.

Purpose

The purpose of a review of related literature is to provide a foundation for research by analysing existing studies and identifying gaps. It helps in several ways:

• Establishing context: It situates the research within a broader academic framework.
• Identifying gaps: It highlights areas that require further exploration.
• Avoiding duplication: It ensures that the research does not replicate previous studies without adding new insights.
• Supporting arguments: It provides evidence from existing research to justify the study’s relevance.
• Defining methodology: It helps researchers select appropriate methods based on past studies.
• Demonstrating credibility: It shows familiarity with the field and strengthens the study’s theoretical framework.

Scope

The scope of a review of related literature depends on the research topic, objectives and available sources. It includes relevance, timeframe, geographical focus, theoretical framework and methodological focus.

• Relevance: It focuses on studies directly related to the research question.
• Timeframe: It includes recent studies, unless older works provide foundational theories.
• Geographical focus: It considers literature from specific regions if necessary.
• Theoretical framework: It explores key theories that support the research.
• Methodological focus: It reviews research methods used in related studies.

Structure

A structured review of related literature includes an introduction, discussion, analysis, synthesis and conclusion.

1. Introduction: It explains the purpose and organisation of the literature review.
2. Thematic or conceptual discussion: It groups studies based on themes, concepts or trends.
3. Critical analysis: It evaluates strengths, limitations and gaps in existing research.
4. Synthesis: It compares studies, highlighting connections and contradictions.
5. Conclusion: It summarises key findings and justifies the need for further research.

How to write a review of related literature

Writing a review of related involves systematically examining existing studies to establish a foundation for the work. To write an effective review, follow these steps:​

1. Define the research question: Clearly articulate the specific topic or problem the research addresses. This focus guides the literature search and ensures relevance.
2. Conduct a comprehensive literature search: Use academic databases, journals and other scholarly sources to gather pertinent studies. Try out a range of keywords and search strategies to capture various perspectives.
3. Evaluate and select sources: Critically assess the credibility, relevance and quality of the literature. Decide which studies significantly contribute to understanding the research question.
4. Identify themes, debates and gaps: Analyse the selected literature to discern common themes, ongoing debates and areas lacking research. This analysis highlights where the study can contribute new insights.
5. Outline the structure of the review: Organise the literature logically — chronologically, thematically or methodologically. This structured approach improves the coherence of the review of related literature.
6. Write the literature review: Synthesise the findings from the literature, connecting them to the research question. Emphasise significant studies, methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks.
7. Conclude with a summary of key findings: Summarise the main insights from the literature and highlight their significance. Connect these findings back to the primary research question to set the stage for the study’s contribution.

Academic texts that include a review of related literature

A review of related literature appears in various academic texts — such as research papers, academic books and reports — typically in sections that provide background, establish context or justify research.

• Research papers: It appears after the introduction and before the methodology section.
• Theses and dissertations: It is usually a full chapter following the introduction.
• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses: It forms the main content, often integrated with the analysis.
• Books and book chapters: It appears in early chapters or as a literature review section.
• Grant proposals: It is part of the background or justification section.
• Technical reports: It appears in the introductory or background section.

Review of related literature template

Introduction

• What is the main research topic?
• Why is this topic important?
• What are the key concepts and terms in this study?
• What is the objective of this literature review?
• How is the review structured (e.g. thematically, chronologically, methodologically)?

Overview of existing research

Theoretical background

• What theories or models are relevant to this research?
• How have these theories been applied in previous studies?
• What are the key arguments or assumptions in these theories?

Empirical studies and key findings

• What are the most relevant studies on this topic?
• What research methods have been used in previous studies?
• What are the main findings of these studies?
• How do different studies compare or contrast with each other?

Trends and patterns

• What common themes or patterns emerge from existing research?
• How has research on this topic evolved over time?
• Are there significant shifts or developments in the field?

Critical analysis and synthesis

• What are the strengths of the existing literature?
• What are the limitations or weaknesses of previous studies?
• Are there any conflicting findings or debates among scholars?
• How do different studies relate to each other? Do they build upon, contradict or complement each other?

Identification of research gaps

• What aspects of the topic remain unexplored or under-researched?
• Are there inconsistencies in the findings of previous studies?
• What methodological limitations exist in past research?
• How does identifying these gaps justify the need for this study?

Conclusion

• What are the key takeaways from the literature review?
• How does this review support the current research study?
• How will the research contribute to filling the identified gaps?

Editing services

Editing services — copyediting and proofreading — help refine texts containing a review of related literature by improving clarity, coherence and accessibility.

Copyediting

• Improving clarity and readability: Ensures that sentences are clear, concise and logically structured.
• Enhancing coherence: Improves transitions between ideas and sections for a smooth flow.
• Correcting grammar, punctuation and syntax: Eliminates errors that could affect credibility.
• Standardising formatting and citations: Ensures consistency in referencing style (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago).
• Refining academic tone: Polishes language to maintain a formal, objective style.

Proofreading

• Corrects grammar and punctuation: Identifies errors in sentence structure, spelling and punctuation.
• Ensures typographical accuracy: Fixes formatting errors that could affect readability.
• Checks referencing consistency: Verifies that citations and references follow the required style guide (e.g. APA, MLA, Harvard).
• Identifies overlooked mistakes: Conduct a final review to catch any errors missed during writing and editing.

Resources

• A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Literature Review for Doctoral Research by B. Claxton and C. L. Dolan explains how to conduct and write a comprehensive review of current scholarly literature, including identifying sources and synthesising findings.
• Academic Reading and Writing Made Easy podcast provides tips and ideas on improving university writing, suitable for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Academic Writing Talk podcast addresses common challenges in academic writing, offering insights and strategies to enhance the writing process.
• Purdue OWL provides detailed instructions on conducting research and writing literature reviews, including structuring and synthesising sources.
• UNC Writing Center explains the purpose and structure of literature reviews and offers insights into their construction across various disciplines.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center provides strategies for composing literature reviews, including annotated examples to illustrate different approaches and purposes.
• Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences by J. L. Galvan and M. C. Galvan follows a systematic progression of steps and focuses on writing critical reviews of original research.
• Writing the Literature Review: A Practical Guide by S. E. Efron and R. Ravid provides a roadmap for producing high-quality literature reviews, integral to successful theses, dissertations, term papers or grant proposals.

Key takeaway

A review of related literature provides context for research, identifies gaps in existing studies and supports the study’s methodology. Its scope depends on the research question, covering relevant theories, empirical findings and methodological approaches. A well-structured review includes an introduction, thematic discussion, critical analysis, synthesis and conclusion. Its purpose is to establish a strong foundation for research by evaluating previous studies, avoiding duplication and demonstrating credibility.

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