Literature review is the bragging section. It is your opportunity to show your reader that you have a solid grasp of the existing published work, concerning a particular topic or field of research. It should be an analytical approach to existing content with a deliberate show of insight, dissent and critical analysis.
Drafting the best dissertation literature review in the UK is a pivotal aspect of the research process, essential for establishing the theoretical framework, contextualizing the study, and demonstrating the researcher’s familiarity with existing scholarship in the field. A well-executed literature review not only synthesizes and analyzes relevant sources but also critically evaluates their contributions to the research topic, identifies gaps or inconsistencies in the literature, and proposes avenues for future research. To achieve excellence in crafting a dissertation literature review, researchers in the UK must adhere to a systematic and rigorous approach that encompasses several key steps and strategies.
The first step in drafting an exemplary literature review is to conduct a comprehensive search and retrieval of relevant scholarly sources. This involves accessing academic databases, online repositories, library catalogs, and other sources of scholarly literature to identify peer-reviewed articles, books, dissertations, conference proceedings, and other relevant publications. Researchers should employ a variety of search strategies, including keyword searches, subject headings, citation chaining, and consultation with experts in the field, to ensure thorough coverage of the literature related to their research topic.
Once a comprehensive collection of relevant literature has been assembled, the next step is to critically evaluate and analyze the sources to extract key insights, themes, and trends. This involves reading and annotating each source, summarizing its main arguments, methodologies, findings, and conclusions, and identifying connections and relationships between different sources. Researchers should pay particular attention to the strengths and limitations of each study, the theoretical frameworks and conceptual models employed, and any controversies or debates within the literature.
With a solid understanding of the existing literature, researchers can then proceed to synthesize and organize the sources into a coherent narrative that highlights the main themes, debates, and trends in the field. This may involve categorizing the sources based on thematic similarities or methodological approaches, identifying patterns or inconsistencies in the literature, and synthesizing the findings to construct a comprehensive overview of the research landscape. Researchers should strive to present a balanced and nuanced perspective, acknowledging both consensus and dissenting views within the literature and providing evidence-based arguments to support their interpretations.
In addition to synthesizing and analyzing the existing literature, researchers must also critically evaluate the contributions of each source to the research topic and identify any gaps or areas for further investigation. This involves assessing the relevance, significance, and methodological rigor of each study, as well as considering its theoretical and practical implications for the research topic. Researchers should highlight any limitations or weaknesses in the existing literature and propose avenues for future research that address these gaps and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field.
It is essential to maintain a clear and logical structure in the dissertation literature review, organizing the sources thematically, chronologically, or methodologically to facilitate understanding and navigation for the reader. The literature review should begin with an introduction that provides an overview of the research topic, outlines the scope and objectives of the review, and establishes the rationale for the study. This should be followed by a comprehensive synthesis and analysis of the literature, organized into coherent sections or subsections that highlight key themes, debates, and trends in the field. Finally, the literature review should conclude with a summary of the main findings, a reflection on the implications for future research, and suggestions for further reading.
Drafting the best dissertation literature review in the UK requires a systematic and rigorous approach that encompasses several key steps and strategies. Researchers must conduct a comprehensive search and retrieval of relevant scholarly sources, critically evaluate and analyze the literature, synthesize and organize the sources into a coherent narrative, critically evaluate the contributions of each source, and maintain a clear and logical structure in the literature review. By following these steps and strategies, researchers can construct a literature review that not only demonstrates their familiarity with existing scholarship in the field but also makes a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in their research topic.
The friendly and helpful team of professional dissertation writers have come up with five major segments that cover the entire scope of literature review
Purpose and Responsibility of Literature Review
The purpose and responsibility of a literature review in academic research are multifaceted and critical to the overall success and integrity of the study. At its core, a literature review serves several key functions that contribute to the advancement of knowledge within a particular field or discipline:
One of the primary purposes of a literature review is to provide context for the research study by situating it within the existing body of knowledge. By reviewing relevant scholarly literature, researchers can identify key theories, concepts, debates, and empirical findings that inform and shape their research topic. This contextualization helps readers understand the significance and relevance of the study within the broader academic discourse.
A literature review enables researchers to identify gaps, inconsistencies, or unresolved issues within the existing literature, thus providing opportunities for further research and exploration. By critically evaluating previous studies, researchers can identify areas where additional research is needed to address unanswered questions, fill knowledge gaps, or resolve conflicting findings. This process of identifying research gaps and formulating research questions is essential for advancing knowledge and contributing to the scholarly conversation.
Another key function of a literature review is to establish the theoretical framework or conceptual framework for the research study. By reviewing theoretical perspectives, conceptual models, and frameworks from previous studies, researchers can develop a theoretical foundation for their research, guiding the formulation of hypotheses, research questions, and methodological approaches. This theoretical framework provides a framework for interpreting the research findings and situates the study within a broader theoretical context.
The literature review also informs methodological choices and research design decisions by providing insights into the strengths and limitations of different research methods and approaches. By reviewing empirical studies, researchers can evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of various research methodologies, data collection techniques, and analytical methods for their specific research question. This ensures that the research design is well-suited to address the objectives of the study and generate valid and reliable findings.
A critical aspect of the literature review is the evaluation and synthesis of existing knowledge within the field. By critically analyzing previous studies, researchers can assess the quality, relevance, and reliability of the evidence presented, distinguishing between robust empirical findings and speculative conjectures. This synthesis of existing knowledge allows researchers to build on the work of others, integrate diverse perspectives, and contribute new insights or perspectives to the literature.
The purpose and responsibility of a literature review in academic research are multifaceted and integral to the research process. A literature review serves to contextualize the research, identify gaps and research questions, establish the theoretical framework, inform methodological choices, and evaluate and synthesize existing knowledge. By fulfilling these roles, a literature review contributes to the advancement of knowledge within the field, enhances the credibility and validity of the research study, and fosters scholarly dialogue and inquiry.
According to their analysis there are nine main responsibilities of literature review as follows:
1) To criticize every aspect of the methodology
2) To point out exemplary studies
3) To point out gaps in research
4) To show how your study relates to previous studies
5) To cluster authors who drew similar conclusions
6) To compare and contrast different authors
7) To note the areas of dissent
8) To link your study to general existing literature and
9) To draw a summary of existing literature
Proper literature review has to define the scope of the problem that you are researching on and ground your research in a historical context. A brilliant review will keep you from duplicating the efforts in the field. It is the grounds for evaluating the research methods utilized by other authors and it legitimately ties your findings to previous findings in the same discipline.
Structure of the literature review
When you set out to conduct literature review, you will have to analyse what previous writers had done. As a rule, if you decide to do general overview for an author, then you have to stick to that design throughout the entire analysis. If you go for descriptive methods then it has to be consistent throughout the literature.
The structure of your review ought to be defined by the controversial issues you’ll encounter, possible dissent and the varying perspectives. Always link the literature review in line with your own purpose. The best literature review structure is one that makes use of coordinating conjunctions, and prepositions like also, in addition, as well as, similarly, on the other hand etc.
The structure of the literature review plays a critical role in organizing and synthesizing the vast body of existing scholarship on a particular topic. A well-structured literature review not only provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature but also guides readers through the complexities and nuances of the research landscape. When crafting the structure of a literature review, several key considerations should be taken into account to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance.
Firstly, it is important to analyze and understand the approaches taken by previous writers in the field. This involves identifying common methodologies, theoretical frameworks, and analytical techniques used in previous studies. Depending on the research objectives and scope, researchers may choose to adopt a general overview approach, focusing on summarizing and synthesizing the main findings of individual studies, or a descriptive approach, which involves providing detailed descriptions and analyses of key studies or themes. Once a specific approach is chosen, it is crucial to maintain consistency throughout the literature review to ensure coherence and clarity for the reader.
Furthermore, the structure of the literature review should be defined by the controversial issues, dissenting perspectives, and varying viewpoints encountered in the literature. This involves identifying key debates, controversies, or conflicting findings within the literature and structuring the review to address these issues in a systematic and balanced manner. By acknowledging and addressing dissenting perspectives, researchers can provide a more nuanced and comprehensive analysis of the literature and demonstrate their critical engagement with the research topic.
Moreover, the structure of the literature review should be closely aligned with the researcher’s own purpose and objectives. This involves clearly articulating the research questions, hypotheses, or objectives that guide the literature review and structuring the review to address these goals in a logical and coherent manner. By linking the literature review to the researcher’s own purpose, researchers can ensure that the review remains focused and relevant to the research topic and objectives.
In terms of specific structural elements, the best literature review structure often makes use of coordinating conjunctions and prepositions to guide the reader through the review and highlight connections between different studies or themes. Coordinating conjunctions such as “also,” “in addition,” “as well as,” “similarly,” and “on the other hand” help to signal transitions between different sections or sub-sections of the literature review and emphasize the relationships between different ideas or arguments. By using coordinating conjunctions and prepositions effectively, researchers can create a cohesive and cohesive structure that enhances the clarity and coherence of the literature review.
Writing the review
When you decide to write a literature review, write a list of what you need to study and analyse. In certain cases you will have a pre-compiled list of books, in other cases you will have to set out the parameters for your reading all by yourself.
In the literature review you have to choose your particular areas of focus. Will it be methodology, issues of theory, quantitative research or policy implications? To make your work seamless you have to draft a set of question that will define your scope of study, and stick to it throughout the analysis and review. It is an academic paper so never plagiarize, use academic style of writing and always be sensitive and clear with your language.
When embarking on writing a literature review, it is essential to approach the task systematically and strategically. This involves outlining a clear plan for studying and analyzing the relevant literature, setting parameters for the scope of the review, and maintaining academic integrity throughout the process.
Firstly, it is important to compile a list of sources to be studied and analyzed. In some cases, researchers may have access to a pre-compiled list of books, articles, or other sources provided by their supervisor, academic department, or research database. In other cases, researchers may need to independently identify and select sources based on the relevance and significance to their research topic. Regardless of how the list is compiled, it is crucial to ensure that it encompasses a diverse range of perspectives, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks relevant to the research topic.
Once the list of sources has been compiled, researchers must determine their particular areas of focus within the literature review. Will the review primarily focus on methodology, theoretical issues, quantitative research, or policy implications? To clarify the scope of the review, researchers should draft a set of questions that define the key themes, concepts, and debates to be addressed in the review. These questions serve as guiding principles throughout the analysis and review process, helping researchers to stay focused and organized in their approach.
When writing the literature review, it is imperative to adhere to academic standards of writing and citation. Plagiarism must be strictly avoided, and all sources must be properly cited and referenced according to the relevant citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). Additionally, researchers should strive to maintain clarity and precision in their language, avoiding jargon or overly complex terminology that may obscure the meaning of their arguments. Sensitivity to language is also important, particularly when discussing topics that may be contentious or controversial. Researchers should strive to use inclusive and respectful language that acknowledges diverse perspectives and experiences within the scholarly community.
In summary, writing a literature review requires careful planning, critical analysis, and meticulous attention to detail. By outlining a clear plan for studying and analyzing the relevant literature, defining the scope of the review, and adhering to academic standards of writing and citation, researchers can produce a comprehensive and insightful review that contributes to the scholarly discourse on their research topic.
Selection of Sources
In this segment always tie your research into a specific and well defined scope of review and sources. According to the best thesis writers you have to ask yourself a set of questions including; is the literate that I have selected relevant? Have I noted recent developments in the field? Are my parameters inclusive without being overwhelming? What years did I leave out? What was the basis of including or excluding a piece of literature? And is the bibliographic literature sufficient?
The selection of sources is a critical aspect of conducting a literature review, as it directly influences the comprehensiveness, relevance, and validity of the review. When selecting sources, researchers must carefully consider the scope of the review, the relevance of the selected literature to the research topic, and the currency and breadth of coverage of the sources. Several key considerations should be taken into account to ensure the selection of high-quality and relevant sources for the literature review.
Firstly, it is essential to tie the research into a specific and well-defined scope of review and sources. This involves clearly defining the research objectives, scope, and parameters of the literature review and selecting sources that align with these criteria. Researchers should consider the specific themes, concepts, or research questions they intend to address in the literature review and ensure that the selected sources provide relevant insights and evidence to support their arguments.
Furthermore, researchers should ask themselves a set of questions to evaluate the relevance and suitability of the selected sources. These questions may include:
- Is the literature that I have selected relevant to my research topic and objectives?
- Have I noted recent developments in the field and included up-to-date sources that reflect current trends and debates?
- Are my parameters inclusive without being overwhelming, ensuring that I capture a diverse range of perspectives and approaches within the literature?
- What years did I leave out, and what was the rationale for excluding certain time periods from the review?
- What was the basis of including or excluding a piece of literature, and does it align with the objectives and scope of the review?
- Is the bibliographic literature sufficient to support my arguments and provide a comprehensive overview of the research topic?
By systematically addressing these questions, researchers can ensure that their selection of sources is thorough, relevant, and well-justified. They should strive to include a diverse range of sources, including peer-reviewed journal articles, books, conference proceedings, and other scholarly publications, to provide a comprehensive and balanced perspective on the research topic.
Additionally, researchers should consider the quality and credibility of the selected sources, assessing factors such as the reputation of the authors, the rigor of the research methods, and the relevance of the findings to the research topic. By critically evaluating the quality and relevance of the selected sources, researchers can ensure that their literature review is based on sound scholarship and provides a robust foundation for their own research.
Critical Evaluation
You have to ask yourself. Is my method of organizing literature the most efficient? What is the underlying theme for this choice of profiling the material? Have I zeroed in on the objective of my review? How relevant are the issues I have singled out during this review? What is the relevance of the specific references that I have included? Most importantly you have to ask, does my summary contribute to a better analysis and understanding of the topic or field of research? And does it also reflect the methodological and policy implications of the the best authors in the fields?
Critical evaluation is a crucial aspect of conducting a literature review, as it involves assessing the effectiveness, relevance, and significance of the selected sources and the overall approach to organizing and synthesizing the literature. Researchers must continually question and reflect on their methods and choices to ensure that their literature review is thorough, objective, and insightful.
One key aspect of critical evaluation involves assessing the efficiency of the method used to organize the literature. Researchers should ask themselves whether the chosen method effectively captures the key themes, debates, and trends in the literature and facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the research topic. They should also consider the underlying rationale for their choice of profiling the material and whether it aligns with the objectives and scope of the review.
Researchers must evaluate whether they have clearly defined the objective of their literature review and whether they have effectively addressed relevant issues within the field. This involves assessing the relevance of the selected sources and whether they contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the research topic. Researchers should also consider the relevance of specific references included in the review and whether they provide valuable insights or evidence to support their arguments.
Importantly, researchers should assess whether their summary of the literature contributes to a better analysis and understanding of the topic or field of research. This involves critically analyzing the main findings, arguments, and conclusions presented in the literature and synthesizing them into a coherent narrative that enhances the reader’s comprehension of the research topic. Additionally, researchers should consider whether their summary reflects the methodological and policy implications of the best authors in the field, as this can provide valuable insights into the broader implications of the research findings.
Critical evaluation is essential for ensuring the quality, rigor, and relevance of a literature review. By continually questioning and reflecting on their methods, choices, and findings, researchers can ensure that their literature review effectively captures the key themes, debates, and trends in the literature and contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the research topic.