The literature review is the most challenging and crucial section of a dissertation. Many students find themselves overcome by the volume of information available. It is not the receipt of information but the arrangement, analysis, and presentation that stymie many students from creating an academic yet digestible perspective on existing literature. A literature review that is well-composed serves to show that the writer has a thorough grasp of the topic and provides the foundation for future research.
This comprehensive guide will assist you in writing a literature review for your dissertation. We will discuss the function of the literature review within a dissertation, the length and format of a literature review, as well as practical tips for writing a high-quality literature review, whether you are using online dissertation help resources to assist with your dissertation or you are a solo researcher currently developing your dissertation.
Defining the Literature Review in a Dissertation
A literature review is an assessment of all the literature associated with a specific topic. It is not a compilation of the content of all the literature; rather, a literature review is an analysis, a comparison, and a synthesis of prior research and shows how one’s research fits into the academic debate.
A literature review will achieve several objectives:
- To show the level of familiarity the researcher has with the topic of study.
- To show the trends, gaps, and controversies present in the existing literature.
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Length of Literature Review for a Dissertation
Generally speaking, the total number of pages in a literature review (in terms of total number of words) will relate to both your academic status as well as the total number of pages in your dissertation; there are, however, some common practices that may assist you in deciding the number of pages to use for your literature review.
In general fashion:
20-30% of the entire thesis will be composed of a literature review.
For instance, for a 10000-word dissertation, the literature review is likely 2000-3000 words; for PhD dissertations, it can also be considerably longer.
When preparing your literature review, quality is more important than quantity. A well-structured, concise literature review will be far more effective than a lengthy, unfocused, and poorly organized literature review. If you are not certain how long your literature review should be, you can obtain assistance from an online dissertation-help service that is familiar with your university’s guidelines and requirements.
Purpose of Literature Review in a Dissertation
To provide a clearer focus on how you write your literature review, it will be valuable to know its purpose in the context of the dissertation process. While a literature review is not simply a chapter designed to provide background information about your topic, rather, the literature review serves numerous purposes that are strategic in nature.
The key purpose of Literature Reviews in Dissertations includes:
- Establishing the theoretical foundation of your study.
- Providing evidence that you are building upon what has already been done; and
- Finding gaps in the knowledge provided by prior studies;
- Justifying your research questions or hypotheses;
Various Types of Literature Reviews within a Dissertation
No singular approach exists for creating a literature review with differing formats, typically based upon the topic and methodology used in research. Of the many types of literature reviews available for a dissertation, below are four commonly used methods:
- Thematic Literature Review: Organising the studies around themes or concepts rather than by chronological order is one of the most widely used formats.
- Chronological Literature Review: Presents research in the order that it was published to display the evolution of the topic.
- Methodological Literature Review: Focuses on the methodologies utilised in the studies reviewed, with an assessment of each along with the strengths and weaknesses of each methodology.
- Theoretical Literature Review: Examines the theories and models appropriate to the subject matter at hand.
It is critical to choose which type of literature review is appropriate for your dissertation; professional dissertation writing services assist students with determining what type will be the most appropriate.
Steps of Writing a Literature Review in a Dissertation
It becomes less overwhelming to write a literature review when you use a well-established process, which consists of the following steps:
Step 1: Search for Appropriate Literature
Utilise the following resources for academic database searches: Google Scholar, JSTOR, and university libraries; with these resources, you will locate credible resources.
Step 2: Review Each Source Thoroughly
Instead of accepting the author’s findings as the definitive truth, critically assess each source for reliability, methodology, and relevance.
Step 3: Classify Your Findings
Create a logical progression for all of the studies you reviewed, from your identified categories (themes, theories, and methodologies).
Step 4: Be Critical
Do not simply list items; rather, compare the different perspectives provided by the authors and identify significant conclusions.
Step 5: Limit Your Use of Jargon
When writing a literature review in a dissertation, the wording should be formal but should not include unnecessary technical terms or vocabulary.
Many students use literature review assistance to help them consolidate multiple pieces of complex academic literature.
Key Points to Include in a Dissertation Literature Review
A comprehensive and well-thought-out literature review will contain:
Comparison and contrast of the different academic views, theories, and philosophies;
The identification of the research gaps in the available literature;
The explanation of how the research that you have conducted, or proposed, addresses the gaps in the current literature.
Do not list each study in its own section; rather, relate them to each other to build a stronger argument for your research. If you are not certain what to include, a dissertation writing service can provide a guide to help you decide what to use for your literature review.
Expert Suggestions for Creating a Good Literature Review for Your Dissertation
To make your literature review for your dissertation stand out from the competition, you can apply the following suggestions:
Use Selected Sources
It is better to have fewer, but higher-quality, sources than to include low-quality, irrelevant sources.
Focus on Your Research Question
Every source you cite in your literature review must address your research questions.
Consistent Transitions
Make sure that your paragraphs and sections blend smoothly together and that the transition from one section to the next flows nicely.
Be Cautious About Quoting Too Often
You should paraphrase from other authors, instead of quoting them verbatim, to retain a unique voice in your dissertation.
Thoroughly Revise and Edit Your Literature Review
You may utilize a dissertation writing service to assist you in revising and editing your final draft to help ensure that your literature review is written with clarity and flow.
Citation and Reference Tips for Literature Reviews.
Some of the most important tips when it comes to citations:
Make sure that you are using the required referencing style (i.e., APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.)
You should cite both direct quotes and paraphrased Ideas (this includes any citation).
Make sure to keep your citations as consistent as possible throughout your chapter.
Consider using reference management software such as Zotero or Mendeley to help manage your references.
Citing correctly is not just about preventing Plagiarism; it is also about giving you a more professional voice in your dissertation.
Read More: Best ways to write a good assignment step by step
Conclusion
A literature review can be intimidating at first; however, if you have an understanding of how to create a successful literature review, it becomes an extremely effective way to support your own research. The objective of the literature review is to demonstrate your ability to think critically by identifying areas of need and establishing the foundation of your research within the field of study.
When writing a literature review, be sure to understand what type of literature review you will write and to write it according to proper guidelines with respect to the appropriate length. Additionally, you should familiarize yourself with the expert writing tips as well as the appropriate citing styles for your dissertation. If you find yourself having difficulty or simply wish to have additional support in preparing your literature review and dissertation, consider seeking legitimate online literature review assistance or using an online dissertation help to make your literature review more thorough and effective.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. How does a dissertation help service work?
Dissertation help services offer expert assistance, reviews, and plagiarism-free academic assistance to their clients.
Q2. Can a dissertation writing service write a literature review?
A dissertation writing service is available to develop or improve literature reviews for dissertation students.
Q3. Is online dissertation help free from plagiarism?
Reputable online dissertation help assures total originality and proper citation.
Q4. Are dissertation writing services appropriate for master’s students?
Master’s and Ph.D. students will benefit from using a dissertation writing service.
Q5. Do online literature review services save time?
Indeed, online literature review services save students time by assisting them in managing their time for complex research activities.
Q6. Does a dissertation help service comply with academia’s expectations?
Professional dissertation help services will meet the expectations of universities.
Q7. Will I receive revisions from a dissertation writing service?
Most dissertation writing services will provide free revisions until the provider’s requirements for the dissertation have been fulfilled.
Q8. Is online dissertation help confidential?
Trustworthy online dissertation help will provide complete confidentiality and data protection to its clientele.
