RRL or review of related literature, examines existing studies relevant to a research topic. It is a section of an academic text that identifies gaps, supports arguments with credible sources and provides a foundation for new research. A well-structured RRL strengthens the study by establishing a context and validating its significance.
This blog post explores the key aspects of RRL, including its structure, functions and differences from a review of related studies. It outlines essential characteristics of a well-written RRL, highlights common pitfalls and provides a step-by-step guide to writing an effective literature review. Additionally, it discusses how editing services can enhance the clarity and coherence of an RRL, ensuring it meets academic standards.
- What is a review of related literature (RRL)?
- Review of related literature (RRL) vs review of related studies (RRS)
- Characteristics of a good RRL
- Characteristics of a bad RRL
- 8 steps to writing a good RRL
- Editing services
- Resources
Review of related literature (RRL)
Review of related literature (RRL) is a critical summary and analysis of existing research related to a specific topic. It serves as the foundation for a study by examining published books, journal articles, theses, dissertations and other academic sources. RRL helps researchers understand the development of knowledge in their field, identify research gaps and establish the relevance of their study.
Key functions of RRL
- Provides context: It situates the research within the broader academic field by summarising existing studies and highlighting key findings.
- Identifies gaps: It reveals unanswered questions, inconsistencies or areas that need further exploration.
- Supports theoretical framework: It connects the study to established theories and models, ensuring that the research is grounded in existing knowledge.
- Prevents redundancy: It ensures that researchers do not duplicate previous work but instead build on it.
- Justifies the study: It demonstrates why the research is necessary by showing how it contributes to filling gaps or addressing unresolved issues.
Structure of RRL
A well-organised RRL typically includes:
- Introduction: Defines the scope of the review, explains the topic’s importance and outlines key themes.
- Thematic discussion: Groups related studies under common themes or categories to show patterns and trends.
- Critical analysis: Evaluates previous research by comparing findings, methodologies and limitations.
- Conclusion: Summarises key insights, highlights gaps and explains how the study will address them.
Length of RRL
The length of RRL varies depending on the type of academic text, institutional requirements, field of study and research objectives. For instance, in a thesis or dissertation, it may account for 20%–30% of the total word count, but in a research paper submitted to an academic journal, it may account for 15%–25% of the word count. Here are typical proportions (represented as a percentage of the total word count) for RRL in different academic texts:
Thesis or dissertation: 20%–30% of the total word count
- A master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation requires a comprehensive RRL that reviews numerous studies, theories and methodologies.
- Example: In a 50,000-word dissertation, the RRL may range from 10,000 to 15,000 words.
Research paper (Journal article): 15%–25% of the total word count
- In journal articles, the RRL is usually concise but thorough, summarising key studies relevant to the research question.
- Example: In a 5,000-word research paper, the RRL may be 750 to 1,250 words.
Capstone project: 15%–25% of the total word count
- Similar to a research paper, a capstone project includes a focused RRL that supports the study’s objectives and methodology.
- Example: In a 10,000-word capstone project, the RRL may be 1,500 to 2,500 words.
Systematic review: 40%–60% of the total word count
- A systematic review is based entirely on literature analysis, requiring a detailed RRL that synthesises and evaluates multiple studies.
- Example: In a 10,000-word systematic review, the RRL may be 4,000 to 6,000 words.
Undergraduate research paper: 10%–20% of the total word count
- Undergraduate research papers typically include a shorter RRL, focusing on essential studies that support the research topic.
- Example: In a 3,000-word research paper, the RRL may be 300 to 600 words.
Grant proposal: 10%–20% of the total word count
- In grant proposals, the RRL provides background information to justify the need for funding. It is concise but well-researched.
- Example: In a 5,000-word grant proposal, the RRL may be 500 to 1,000 words.
Review of related literature (RRL) vs review of related studies (RRS)
Review of related literature (RRL) focuses on theories, concepts and general academic discussions relevant to a research topic, including books, journal articles and theoretical frameworks. In contrast, review of related studies (RRS) examines specific past research, such as theses, dissertations and empirical studies, to compare methodologies, findings and gaps. While RRL provides a broad theoretical foundation, RRS offers direct evidence from previous research that informs the study.
| Review of related literature (RRL) | Review of related studies (RRS) | |
| Scope of sources | Books, journal articles, theoretical frameworks and conceptual discussions | Specific studies, such as published research papers, experimental studies and past academic investigations |
| Purpose | Establish the theoretical background of a study by discussing general concepts and frameworks | Evaluates existing research to identify patterns, gaps and methodological approaches that inform the current study |
In short, RRL and RRS both are sections in academic texts that examine existing research, but they serve different purposes and focus on different types of sources. Here is an overview of the differences:
Definition
- RRL refers to the analysis of books, theories, concepts and general academic literature relevant to a research topic. Moreover, it provides a theoretical foundation and identifies key ideas that support the study.
- RRS focuses on previous research papers, theses, dissertations and empirical studies that have investigated similar topics. Additionally, it examines methodologies, findings and research gaps.
Scope of sources
- RRL includes books, journal articles, theoretical frameworks and conceptual discussions.
- RRS consists of specific studies, such as published research papers, experimental studies and past academic investigations.
Purpose
- RRL establishes the theoretical background of a study by discussing general concepts and frameworks.
- RRS evaluates existing research to identify patterns, gaps and methodological approaches that inform the current study.
Example
- RRL example: A study on online learning might review theories of e-learning, cognitive load and digital pedagogy.
- RRS example: The same study might examine previous research on the effectiveness of online learning in different educational settings.
Characteristics of a good RRL
Relevant and focused
- Reviews literature directly related to the research topic.
- Avoids unnecessary discussions or unrelated sources.
Well-organised
- Follows a clear structure, such as thematic, chronological or methodological organisation.
- Ensures smooth transitions between studies and ideas.
Comprehensive and balanced
- Covers a wide range of credible and authoritative sources.
- Includes both supporting and contradicting views for a well-rounded discussion.
Critical and analytical
- Evaluates previous research rather than simply summarising it.
- Identifies gaps, strengths and limitations in past studies.
Properly cited and plagiarism-free
- Uses proper citations following academic standards (APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.).
- Avoids copying content without analysis or attribution.
Characteristics of a bad RRL
Irrelevant or off-topic
- Includes sources that are unrelated to the research question.
- Focuses on general background information instead of targeted literature.
Disorganised and unstructured
- Lacks a logical flow, making it hard to follow.
- Randomly lists studies without grouping them into meaningful sections.
Too descriptive and lacking analysis
- Merely summarises studies instead of critically engaging with them.
- Fails to highlight research gaps or contradictions.
Outdated or unreliable sources
- Relies on old studies when newer, more relevant research is available.
- Uses sources from non-academic or non-peer-reviewed publications.
Plagiarism or poor citation
- Copies text from other sources without proper credit.
- Uses incorrect or inconsistent citation styles.
8 steps to writing a good RRL
Writing a strong review of related literature (RRL) requires careful planning, critical analysis and proper organisation. Follow these steps to ensure a well-structured and effective RRL.
1. Identify the research topic
- Define the research problem and objectives.
- Determine the key themes and concepts that the RRL should cover.
2. Search for relevant literature
- Use academic databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, JSTOR and ScienceDirect.
- Gather books, journal articles, theses and credible online sources.
- Prioritise recent and peer-reviewed studies to ensure relevance.
3. Evaluate and select sources
- Assess the credibility, relevance and quality of each source.
- Focus on studies that provide valuable insights and directly relate to the research topic.
- Identify gaps, trends and debates within the literature.
4. Organise the literature review
- Use a logical structure to categorise the sources:
- Thematic: Group studies based on common themes or concepts.
- Chronological: Present literature in the order of publication to show developments over time.
- Methodological: Compare different research methods used in past studies.
5. Analyse and critically review the literature
- Summarise key findings while comparing and contrasting different sources.
- Highlight gaps, contradictions and limitations in previous research.
- Explain how the reviewed literature connects to the current study.
6. Cite sources properly
- Use an appropriate citation style (APA, MLA, Harvard or Chicago).
- Avoid plagiarism by properly crediting all referenced works.
7. Write and revise
- Draft the RRL with a clear introduction, body and conclusion:
- Introduction: Defines the scope of the review, explains the topic’s importance and outlines key themes.
- Thematic discussion: Groups related studies under common themes or categories to show patterns and trends.
- Critical analysis: Evaluates previous research by comparing findings, methodologies and limitations.
- Conclusion: Summarises key insights, highlights gaps and explains how the study will address them.
- Revise the draft to improve clarity, coherence and logical flow.
8. Proofread and edit
- Check for grammar, spelling and formatting errors.
- Ensure consistency in citation style and academic tone.
- Verify that the RRL logically supports the study’s research questions.
- Consider using professional editing services.
How can editing services help polish an RRL?
Editing services improve the clarity, coherence and professionalism of a review of related literature (RRL). They refine language, correct errors and ensure consistency in style and formatting. Two key types of editing — proofreading and copyediting — enhance the quality of an RRL in different ways.
Proofreading: Ensuring accuracy and clarity
Proofreading focuses on minor errors and final refinements to make the RRL polished and error-free. It ensures the text is grammatically correct, clear and professional.
Key benefits of proofreading
- Grammar and spelling corrections: Fixes typos, punctuation mistakes and sentence structure errors.
- Consistency in terminology: Ensures uniformity in key terms, abbreviations and citations.
- Clarity and readability: Improves sentence flow, making the RRL easier to understand.
- Formatting checks: Verifies adherence to academic style guides (APA, MLA, Harvard).
Copyediting: Enhancing structure and style
Copyediting involves a deeper review of the RRL, improving clarity, coherence and academic tone. It refines sentence structure, strengthens arguments and ensures logical flow.
Key benefits of copyediting
- Improved sentence structure: Rewrites awkward or unclear sentences for better readability.
- Logical flow and transitions: Enhances connections between ideas and ensures smooth progression.
- Conciseness and precision: Eliminates redundancy and strengthens key points.
- Consistency in citation style: Ensures all references follow the required format.
Resources
To write an effective review of related literature (RRL), consider the following resources:
- 7 Steps to Writing a Literature Review by University of Guelph provides a detailed seven-step process, including narrowing your topic, searching for literature, reading and evaluating selected articles, organising papers by themes, developing a thesis statement, writing the review and reviewing your work.
- Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From the Internet to Paper by Arlene Fink provides readers with an accessible yet in-depth look at how to synthesise research literature. It covers various aspects of conducting literature reviews, including identifying scholarly sources, analysing and synthesising information and writing the review.
- Literature review guidelines by the University of California, San Diego, offers a structured approach to writing an RRL and emphasises the importance of defining your topic, conducting a thorough literature search and critically analysing the findings. The guide also highlights the significance of organising your review to reflect patterns and themes in the literature.
- Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis: A Step-by-Step Approach by Harris Cooper offers a comprehensive guide to research synthesis and meta-analysis, providing detailed steps and methodologies for conducting thorough literature reviews.
- Writing It! The Podcast about Academics & Writing explores the world of academic writing and publishing, featuring conversations with academics and editors discussing challenges, strategies and insights from their writing experiences. It aims to make the process of writing and getting published more transparent and less overwhelming.
- Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences by José L. Galvan and Melisa C. Galvan helps prepare literature reviews for term projects, theses and dissertations. It offers easy-to-follow guidelines, sequential steps and checklists, with examples illustrating what should and should not be done when writing reviews.
Key takeaways
A review of related literature (RRL) is a section in an academic text that analyses existing research relevant to a study. It establishes the foundation for academic work by summarising key studies, identifying research gaps and supporting the study’s theoretical framework. The length of an RRL varies depending on the type of research — ranging from 10% of the total word count in undergraduate papers to 60% in systematic reviews. A well-organised RRL follows a clear structure, including an introduction, thematic discussion, critical analysis and conclusion. Its primary purpose is to provide context, justify the study’s significance and prevent redundancy by building on existing knowledge. A strong RRL enhances the credibility of research and ensures that new studies contribute meaningfully to their field.
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