Every piece of writing requires complete commitment and dedication. However, when it comes to write a thesis for academic purpose, it demands complete authenticity of the content and understanding of the topic. A research at doctorate level is incomplete without a ‘Literature Review’. Basically, a literature review is merely a review of any literature which is used by the author for his or her research. In simple words, for Ms./PhD level a student overviews and summarizes the main parts of someone else’s previous studies or research. Generally, a literature review is gathered from these sources:

• Books
• Scholarly Articles
• International recognized Journals
• piece of writing related to relevant research

Faulty literature review plays a key role in derailing a thesis at any level. A literature review is the backbone of any dissertation because it supports the whole thesis.

Importance of Literature Review:

• It provides new parameters of inquiry to the author.
• It gives a vivid image of future recommendations.
• A strong literature review identifies the hidden gaps exist within any literature in which a student’s research attempts to address.
• Supports Arguments.
• It shows the gap in the previous research.
• Sometimes justifies your ongoing research.

Features of a Perfect Literature Review

• Unbiased
• Accurately Referenced
• Systematic
• Rigorous
• Comprehensive
• Informative

Things to Remember for A Perfect Literature for your thesis

A literature review comprises of three parts such as Introduction, body, and conclusion. Each paragraph of the literature review should contain different theme and idea which is relevant to the main research topic. The connection between each paragraph should be clear and it should be comprehensible. After the introductory part, the second main component of the literature review is the body which should contain historical background, research aims, and methodologies. Apart from body, the conclusion is also very important in this chapter and it should deal with the gaps for future research. Besides, the conclusion should also contain arguments or disagreements of the reviewed literature. For every literature review at Ms. Or PhD level, there are few things to keep in mind which are as follows:

• Always read the updated journals and other writing material.
• Authenticity of the literature which is going to be reviewed should be checked.
• In order to obtain accurate research outcomes, do compare the findings of other authors with your findings.
• Use electronic sources to find out a journal because it provides a huge variety of authentic journals and other publications of authors.
• Plagiarism-free content is the base of any research, literature review should be written in your own words.
• Don’t use someone else’s expressions, ideas, and words.
• Use inverted commas if you quote someone’s exact words or lines.
• Always use international standard formatting style.

All in all, as an important part of any thesis, the review of the literature is very important for a research. It enhances your knowledge related to the field of your research. Everyone follows different style and rules for literature review but the above mentioned ideas will surely help the students in order to obtain good marks in their academic research.

e’s a rewritten and elaborated version of the content tailored for PhD students, using professional yet accessible language. The explanation is expanded to provide deeper insights and practical applications for each type of literature review organization.

Three Types of Literature Review Writing Process

Conducting a literature review is a critical component of academic research, particularly for PhD students. The way you organize your literature review can significantly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your work. Below, we explore three primary types of literature review writing—chronological, thematic, and methodological—along with their explanations, applications, and examples to help you choose the best approach for your research.

1. Chronological Organization

Explanation

A chronological literature review organizes sources based on their publication date or the historical development of the topic. This approach highlights the evolution of ideas, theories, or research over time, allowing readers to understand how the field has progressed.

When to Use

• When the sequence of events or developments is central to your research question.
• When you want to demonstrate how a concept, theory, or methodology has evolved.
• When your research focuses on historical trends or shifts in a field.

Example

If you are studying the development of artificial intelligence (AI), you might start with early works from the 1950s (e.g., Alan Turing’s foundational ideas) and progress through key milestones, such as the rise of machine learning in the 1990s and the recent advancements in deep learning.

Tips for PhD Students

• Avoid simply listing studies in order; instead, analyze how each work builds on or diverges from previous research.
• Highlight turning points or paradigm shifts in the field.
• Use this approach to set the stage for your research by showing gaps or unresolved questions in the timeline.

2. Thematic Organization

Explanation

A thematic literature review groups sources by key themes, topics, or issues rather than by time. This approach allows you to explore different dimensions of your research question and can include sub-themes or subtopics within broader categories.

When to Use

• When your research question involves multiple themes or perspectives.
• When you want to move from general concepts to specific subtopics.
• When the chronology of the research is less important than the ideas being discussed.

Example

If your research focuses on climate change, you might organize your review into themes such as:

1. Causes of Climate Change (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation).
2. Impacts of Climate Change (e.g., rising sea levels, biodiversity loss).
3. Mitigation Strategies (e.g., renewable energy, carbon capture).

Tips for PhD Students

• Clearly define each theme and explain its relevance to your research.
• Use subheadings to break down complex themes into manageable sections.
• Show how different themes intersect or influence one another.

3. Methodological Organization

Explanation

A methodological literature review organizes sources based on the research methods used rather than the content or themes. This approach is particularly useful when comparing how different methodologies have been applied to study a particular topic.

When to Use

• When the methods of research are central to your study.
• When you want to compare the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
• When your research involves a critique or synthesis of methodologies.

Example

If you are researching mental health interventions, you might organize your review by methodology:

1. Quantitative Studies (e.g., randomized controlled trials).
2. Qualitative Studies (e.g., interviews, case studies).
3. Mixed-Methods Studies (e.g., combining surveys and focus groups).

Tips for PhD Students

• Critically evaluate the methodologies used in the studies you review.
• Discuss how different methods contribute to understanding the research problem.
• Use this approach to justify your choice of methodology for your own research.

Choosing the Right Type of Literature Review Writing

The type of organization you choose depends on your research question, field of study, and purpose of the review. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

Practical Advice for PhD Students

1. Align with Your Research Goals: Choose an organizational structure that best supports your research objectives and questions.
2. Be Flexible: You can combine approaches. For example, a thematic review might include a chronological discussion within each theme.
3. Use Visual Aids: Tables, charts, or diagrams can help clarify the organization of your review.
4. Seek Feedback: Share your outline with your advisor or peers to ensure your organization is logical and effective.

Conclusion

Organizing your literature review effectively is key to presenting a coherent and compelling argument. Whether you choose a chronological, thematic, or methodological approach, ensure that your structure aligns with your research goals and enhances the clarity of your work. By carefully selecting and applying the right organizational framework, you can create a literature review that not only synthesizes existing research but also sets the stage for your original contribution to the field.

Examples of literature reviews

Writing literature reviews can be quite challenging! A good starting point could be to look at some examples, depending on what kind of literature review you’d like to write.

• Example literature review #1: “Why Do People Migrate? A Review of the Theoretical Literature” (Theoretical literature review about the development of economic migration theory from the 1950s to today.)
• Example literature review #2: “Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines” (Methodological literature review about interdisciplinary knowledge acquisition and production.)
• Example literature review #3: “The Use of Technology in English Language Learning: A Literature Review” (Thematic literature review about the effects of technology on language acquisition.)
• Example literature review #4: “Learners’ Listening Comprehension Difficulties in English Language Learning: A Literature Review” (Chronological literature review about how the concept of listening skills has changed over time.)