Literature Review Structure for Dissertation

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Literature Review Structure for Dissertation

A well-structured literature review ensures that your dissertation presents the literature in a logical and coherent manner. Here’s a typical structure for a dissertation literature review:

1. Introduction

  • Purpose and Scope: Introduce the purpose of the literature review and define the research question or topic.

  • Overview of Structure: Briefly outline the structure of your literature review, explaining how the review will be organized.

2. Theoretical Framework/Conceptual Background

  • Provide Context: This section may include a discussion of the key theories, concepts, or models that are central to your dissertation topic. It helps set the stage for the discussion of the literature by explaining the theoretical basis of your study.

3. Main Body of the Literature Review

  • Organize by Themes, Topics, or Methodologies:

    • Thematic Organization: Group studies according to common themes or subtopics.

    • Methodological Organization: If there are significant differences in the research methodologies used, you may organize the literature by the type of methods employed (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative).

    • Chronological Organization: In some cases, organizing the review by the timeline of research developments may be appropriate, especially if the topic has evolved over time.

  • Summary of Key Studies: For each section, summarize key studies, pointing out their findings, methodologies, strengths, and weaknesses.

  • Critical Analysis: Critique the studies you discuss, highlighting areas of agreement, debate, or unresolved issues in the literature.

4. Identification of Gaps in the Literature

  • Highlight Areas for Future Research: Point out where existing studies fall short or where further exploration is needed. This is an important section because it sets up the rationale for your research.

5. Conclusion

  • Summary of Key Findings: Summarize the major findings from the literature, linking them to your research question.

  • Connection to Your Study: Explain how the reviewed literature informs your dissertation and how your research will fill the identified gaps.

6. References/Bibliography

  • Cite Your Sources: Include a list of all the references you cited throughout your review. Follow the appropriate citation style for your field.

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