A thesis literature review is a comprehensive summary and analysis of the existing research and literature on a particular topic relevant to the thesis. The literature review is typically located in the early chapters of a thesis, often as a standalone chapter or section following the introduction. Its placement helps provide the necessary background and context for the research by summarising and analysing existing studies. It usually comes before the methodology chapter, ensuring that readers understand the current state of research and the rationale for the study’s approach.
- Function of literature review
- Components of a thesis literature review
- #1 Sample literature review (Education)
- #2 Sample literature review (Health studies)
- Tips for writing an effective thesis literature review
- Resources for writing an effective thesis literature review
- Using professional editing services when writing a thesis
What is the function of a literature review?
A thesis literature review serves several important purposes in the thesis:
- Contextualising the research: It places the research within the context of what is already known, showing how the work contributes to or builds upon existing knowledge.
- Identifying gaps: By reviewing previous studies, thesis literature review identifies gaps or unexplored areas that the research aims to fill.
- Demonstrating understanding: It shows familiarity with the subject area, important studies, theories and debates related to the topic.
- Establishing a theoretical framework: It provides a foundation for the research by identifying and explaining relevant theories or models.
- Justifying the research: It supports the rationale for the study by highlighting how the research addresses a specific unexplored problem explored.
What are the components of a thesis literature review?
A thesis literature review consists of several key components that work together to provide a comprehensive overview of existing research on the topic. These components include:
1. Introduction
The introduction outlines why the literature review is necessary for the thesis, explaining its scope and purpose. Furthermore, it provides a brief introduction to the topic under study, establishing the context for the review. Finally, it highlights the key research questions or objectives that guide the literature review.
2. Thematic or chronological organisation
Thematic approach organises the literature based on specific themes or topics. This is often the preferred method, as it allows the review to compare and contrast different perspectives, methods or areas of research.
Chronological approach shows how research has evolved in the field over the years.
Methodological approach helps to highlight different methodological trends by grouping literature based on the research methods used.
3. Critical analysis and synthesis
Summary of key studies summarises major studies in the field, detailing the findings, methodologies and theoretical approaches.
Comparative analysis analyses how the various studies relate to each other, pointing out consistencies, contradictions or differing perspectives.
Critique of the literature identifies strengths and weaknesses in the existing research, including methodological limitations, sample sizes and biases.
Identification of gaps points out areas that have not been fully explored, which creates the rationale for the study.
4. Theoretical framework
Key theories and concepts discuss the main theories or models that are relevant to the thesis topic. This section provides a foundation for understanding how different pieces of research are interconnected.
Application to the study explains application of these theories or concepts in the research, showing how the work fits into the broader academic conversation.
5. Conclusion
The conclusion briefly restates the three key elements of the literature review:
- Summary of findings briefly summarises the key points covered in the literature review.
- Research gap or rationale clearly identifies the gaps in the current literature that the research will address.
- Justification for the study emphasises how the research will contribute to or advance knowledge in the field.
Additional considerations
- Relevance and scope: Ensure that the literature reviewed is relevant to the research question and covers the breadth and depth of the subject matter.
- Balanced perspective: Provide an unbiased view of the literature, covering both supporting and opposing viewpoints.
- Integration of sources: Rather than listing sources one by one, integrate findings to build a cohesive narrative, demonstrating how different works interrelate.
#1 Sample: Literature review in education
Introduction
The introduction of technology in higher education has garnered increasing attention, with studies examining its impact on student engagement. This literature review aims to explore how various technological tools, such as e-learning platforms and gamification, influence student participation and motivation. The review addresses key research questions: How do different technological innovations enhance student engagement? What are the limitations of these technologies in educational settings?
Thematic organisation
The literature is organised thematically, with a focus on e-learning platforms, gamification and blended learning. Studies on e-learning platforms, such as those by Johnson et al. (2019), have highlighted their role in improving accessibility to educational resources. Gamification, as explored by Lee and Hammer (2011), shows promise in enhancing student motivation and participation through game-like elements. Blended learning, which combines traditional teaching methods with digital tools, is a growing area of interest and has been found to improve engagement, as noted by Graham (2013).
Analysis and synthesis
Critical analysis reveals that while e-learning platforms increase accessibility, their effectiveness in fostering deep engagement varies (Smith & Brown, 2020). Gamification studies suggest short-term improvements in engagement but often overlook long-term impacts (Jones et al., 2021). Blended learning is generally effective but requires careful integration to avoid overwhelming students. Despite these insights, many studies suffer from limitations such as short-term data collection and small sample sizes, limiting their generalisability. A key gap identified is the lack of research on the long-term effects of these technologies on academic outcomes.
Theoretical framework
The theoretical framework for this study is based on self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), which posits that student engagement is enhanced by intrinsic motivation, particularly when learners feel autonomous and competent. This theory will be applied to assess how various technologies impact student motivation in higher education settings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, technology offers significant potential to enhance student engagement, though its long-term effects remain underexplored. The literature reveals a gap in understanding the sustained impact of gamification and blended learning on student motivation and academic outcomes. This study will address these gaps by examining the long-term effects of technology on student engagement, contributing to the growing body of research in this area.
#2 Sample: Literature review in health studies
Introduction
This literature review examines the relationship between diet and cardiovascular health, focusing on how different dietary patterns, such as Mediterranean, low-fat and plant-based diets, affect cardiovascular outcomes. The objective is to identify which diets most effectively reduce cardiovascular risks and the underlying mechanisms that contribute to these benefits.
Thematic organisation
The review is organised thematically around three key dietary patterns. Studies on the Mediterranean diet, such as those by Estruch et al. (2013), highlight its emphasis on olive oil, fish and vegetables and show consistent cardiovascular benefits. Research on the low-fat diet, pioneered by Ornish (1998), focuses on reducing total fat intake and has demonstrated some success in lowering heart disease risk. More recently, plant-based diets have gained attention for their ability to reduce cholesterol and cardiovascular risks, as shown in studies by Jenkins et al. (2020).
Analysis and synthesis
Critical analysis of these studies shows that the Mediterranean diet is widely recognised for its cardiovascular benefits, particularly in reducing heart attacks and strokes (Estruch et al., 2013). The low-fat diet, while effective in reducing cholesterol, has been criticised for oversimplifying the role of fats in health (Ornish, 1998). Plant-based diets have shown promising results in lowering cholesterol but require further study to fully understand their long-term effects (Jenkins et al., 2020). Many studies suffer from small sample sizes, short follow-up periods and a lack of diversity in populations studied, which limits their applicability across different groups. A key gap identified is the lack of long-term comparative studies between these dietary patterns, particularly in diverse populations.
Theoretical framework
The theoretical framework used to analyse these diets is the Dietary Inflammatory Index (Shivappa et al., 2014), which provides a model for understanding how diet-induced inflammation contributes to cardiovascular risk. This framework will guide the analysis of how different diets impact inflammation and, consequently, heart disease risk.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all three diets — Mediterranean, low-fat and plant-based — offer potential cardiovascular benefits, though they vary in their long-term effects and underlying mechanisms. The literature identifies a gap in long-term comparative studies across diverse populations. This study will contribute to filling this gap by examining the long-term cardiovascular effects of these diets in varied population groups, offering a more comprehensive understanding of their impacts.
Tips for writing an effective literature review
Writing a thesis literature review can be a challenging process, but the following tips can help guide you through the process effectively:
Define a clear scope and focus
- Set boundaries: Clearly define the scope of the review. Decide on specific themes, theories or areas you want to cover that directly relate to the research question.
- Stay focused on the research question: Keep the review focused on addressing the research problem or thesis objectives. Avoid going too broad or including unrelated literature.
Search and select relevant literature
- Use multiple sources: Rely on academic databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR or specific field-related journals. Make sure the sources are peer-reviewed and credible.
- Prioritise key studies: Identify and include seminal works or key studies that are highly relevant to the research question, as these will provide foundational support for the review.
- Keep it up-to-date: Include the most recent studies to ensure the review reflects the current state of the field. However, do not ignore older, influential works
Resources for writing an effective literature review
Websites and databases
- ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) provides access to education-related literature and research.
- Google Scholar is a widely used academic search engine for finding peer-reviewed articles, theses, books and conference papers.
- JSTOR is a digital library with access to thousands of academic journals, books and primary sources across various disciplines.
- Project MUSE is a source for humanities and social science journals.
- PubMed is a reliable source for medical and life sciences literature.
- Scopus is a comprehensive citation database with a focus on science, technology and medicine.
- Purdue OWL offers comprehensive writing guides, including how to structure literature reviews, citing sources and avoiding plagiarism.
- SAGE Research Methods is a robust online platform offering resources for writing literature reviews, research methods and data analysis.
- The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill provides detailed guidelines on writing literature reviews, including strategies for summarising, analysing and synthesising sources.
Citation tools
- EndNote: A comprehensive reference management tool that assists with organising research and formatting citations.
- Mendeley is a reference manager and academic social network that helps you manage the research papers, discover research data and collaborate online.
- Zotero is a free tool that helps you collect, organise and cite research sources. It can also create bibliographies.
Books
- Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From the Internet to Paper by Arlene Fink offers an introduction to conducting literature reviews and synthesising results.
- How to Write a Thesis by Umberto Eco is a well-regarded guide on the thesis-writing process, including literature reviews.
- The Craft of Research by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb and Joseph M. Williams is a detailed guide on research design, including how to search for, analyse and synthesise literature.
- The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success by Lawrence A. Machi and Brenda T. McEvoy breaks down the literature review process into manageable steps.
- Writing the Literature Review: A Practical Guide by Sara Efrat Efron and Ruth Ravid+ is a practical book for writing literature reviews, with examples and step-by-step guides.
Plagiarism tools
- Grammarly not only checks grammar but also offers a plagiarism checker and writing enhancement suggestions.
- Turnitin checks for similarities in the writing and ensures originality.
How can professional editing services help prepare a thesis for submission?
A thesis, particularly the literature review, can benefit significantly from professional editing services like copyediting or proofreading in the following ways:
- Clarity and coherence: Professional editors help ensure that the thesis is clear and logically structured, improving the flow of ideas, particularly in a complex literature review. This helps maintain consistency in presenting themes or methodologies across sources.
- Language and style: Editors refine the academic tone, grammar and sentence structure, ensuring the writing is polished, formal and free of colloquial expressions. This improves readability, making the arguments more persuasive.
- Eliminating errors: Proofreading catches spelling, punctuation and typographical errors that might be missed during drafting, ensuring the thesis is error-free and adheres to academic standards.
- Formatting and citation consistency: Professional editors ensure adherence to the required style guide (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago), ensuring citation accuracy, reference consistency and overall document formatting. This is especially important in the literature review, where numerous sources are cited.
- Improved academic rigour: A literature review often deals with complex arguments and critical comparisons. Copyediting helps sharpen critical analysis by improving clarity, ensuring that the arguments are precise and that the review demonstrates thorough understanding.
- Time-saving: By outsourcing the editing, students can focus on research and analysis, leaving language, grammar and technical details to professionals.
Key takeaways
A thesis literature review serves as a critical component that contextualises research, identifies gaps and justifies the study. It requires a clear introduction, thematic organisation and detailed critical analysis of existing studies. Each review should present a strong theoretical framework to support the research. Writing an effective literature review involves focused searching, thorough analysis and clear synthesis of findings. By addressing gaps, a well-crafted review strengthens the overall thesis and contributes to academic discourse.
Professional editing services enhance clarity, coherence and consistency, ensuring the review is polished and error-free. If you are an academic author looking for editing or indexing services, contact me. I am an experienced editor, and I offer a free sample edit and an early bird discount.
