It takes a lot of effort to write a literature review whether it is about writing a dissertation, thesis, or even a lengthy, in-depth research paper. Most of the students look for Literature Review Help Services to eliminate the hassle of writing one. Once you know the process of writing it will be no longer overwhelming.
Before starting your paper, you must be required to write a literature review and turn it over to your academic supervisor. This gives your advisor the chance to view the subject of your research, and the methodology you’re using, and, if necessary, offer comments and suggestions to strengthen your research. This could include suggesting additional sources or refocusing your research.
A literature review is the most important part of any research project (Sutton, 2016). It is an investigation of the academic sources you used known as a literature review when conducting academic research. It builds a connection between the previous and current research (dissertationproposal, 2022). Literature reviews are typically only required when working on a sizable academic project, like a research paper, dissertation, or thesis.
This guide will walk you through the process of writing a literature review for a research paper. This guide will be your Dissertation Help Online. It will go over how to start research for a literature review, how to write a literature review, and how to write a research paper conclusion. The literature review construction will be based on the social sciences, humanities, and sciences.
So, what exactly is a literature review?
In a literature review, information that has been published in a particular field of study is discussed, as well as occasional information that has been published within a specific time frame.
A literature review can be nothing more than a concise overview of the sources, but it typically follows a structure and combines summary and synthesis. A summary is a conclusion of the source’s key information, whereas a synthesis is a reorganization or reshuffling of that information.
It could offer a fresh take on dated information or combine fresh and old takes on interpretations. The field’s intellectual development, including significant debates, may also be traced. Furthermore, depending on the circumstance, the literature review may examine the sources and inform the reader of which are the most relevant or important.
Style of a literature review
A literature review needs to be written in the same academic style as other academic writing. This means using clear, formal language without any contractions or colloquialisms, and maintaining an impartial viewpoint at all times.
To distinguish your analysis from previous research work in the field, discuss previous research on your topic in the past tense and your point of view in the present tense. For example, you could mention that a particular author has done research or that they were influenced by earlier scholars in the field, but you might also mention that you are experimenting with various research techniques and formulating specific questions.
How to Write a Literature Review Step by Step
Define the scope of your research
If you haven’t already narrowed down your research focus to a particular, answerable question, do so before you start looking for sources. Once you’ve created a clear, unique thesis for your work, create a list of keywords that are relevant to that thesis that you can use to speed up the source-gathering process.
Look for relevant literature
Search for relevant sources using the keywords you mentioned. Go to your campus library and/or databases such as Google Scholar, EBSCO, JSTOR, and field-specific databases such as Project Muse and EconLit. When you find potential sources, read their abstracts to see if they are relevant to your research. You can narrow down your list to a group of works that contain the information, insights, and extra content you require to carry out your research by reading a brief summary of each source.
Identify patterns, themes, and gaps in your source collection
Examine your edited collection of sources. Take note of the themes in them and ask questions as you carry out your research:
- Do these themes resonate with different authors?
- Where do they differ?
- What evidence does each author use to support it?
Examine the research techniques each author used to create their works. If your sources are studies or experiments, make a note of whether the findings were repeated and, if so, how and where they deviated from one another. Make a list of your key insights and how each source you consult adds to the existing body of knowledge on its subject. Explore the areas where the sources coincide or build upon one another as well as how they differ and challenge one another.
Complete your literature review
When your outline is finished, you can begin writing. The third person is the most common tense used in literature reviews. For example, you could discuss a research article by saying something like “this paper argues…” or “the author elaborates on…” However, there are times when using the first person in a literature review is appropriate, such as when referencing your research.
The words “I argue,” “I propose,” and “through my research, I found that…” could be used, if you’re citing information from a study you conducted or an earlier paper you’ve written.
Remember to adhere to the style you’ve chosen for your research paper, whether APA, MLA, or Chicago Manual of Style. As with your research paper, adopt the same neutral, academic tone. Instead of simply listing and summarizing the sources you’ve read, give your thoughts on them and offer an analysis. Remember that you don’t have to agree with each and every source you use; in fact, exploring where your research results differ from a source’s findings can enhance the credibility of your literature review and your overall research.
Don’t forget to include a list of all your sources in an annotated bibliography. Failure to properly cite your sources can lead to plagiarism charges, which can result in your work being discredited or even expulsion from your university.
Bottom line
A literature review discusses the topic briefly, the differences between publications, and the changes made by each publication to the explanation and comprehension of the subject. The above guide will help you in conducting a successful literature review.
Reference list
Sutton, A. (2016). Systematic approaches to a successful literature review. Sage Publications.
DP., (2022). How long Should a Literature Review be in a 10000 Words Dissertation. Online Available at <https://www.dissertationproposal.co.uk/guide/how-long-should-a-literature-review-be/> [Accessed on 20th April 2022]
