A literature review is a crucial part of academic work, especially for those who are UK students and pursuing higher education. A literature review shows that you can analyze, synthesize, and examine previous research on a specific topic whether it is about a research paper, dissertation, or thesis. Sometimes it appears daunting and encourages students to buy cheap assignment services. This post will be your UK literature review writing guide because we will discuss how to write a thorough and successful literature review.
What Is A Literature Review?
Understanding the purpose of the literature review is essential before getting into the specifics. A literature review gives background information on a subject and provides context for research by highlighting important themes, explanations, and knowledge gaps. It includes a thorough overview of a topic or study from multiple angles (Eaton, 2018). It connects historical and current research (dissertationproposal, 2022). It gives the theoretical foundation of your research by showing how your work aligns with previous studies and highlights areas in which your research can make a contribution. Additionally, it provides insight into the methods employed in earlier research, which aids in selecting a suitable strategy for your own investigation.
Steps For Writing A Literature Review
Here are some steps for writing effective literature reviews which are also used by many cheap ebook writing service experts.
- Chose A Clear And Focused Topic
A successful literature review requires choosing a topic that is both clear and focused. Put your research to a specific topic in order to keep your work manageable and clearly defined. Avoid topics that are too general or vague because this will cause disorganization and a lack of focus on work. You must only focus on topics that are directly related to your research goals by using a clear research question in order to direct you and help you pick out irrelevant sources. Doing so will make sure that your review contributes significantly to the current area of research.
- Conduct A Comprehensive Literature Search
A comprehensive literature search is necessary to have a strong basis for your review. That’s why you need to use reputable academic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, or JSTOR to find books, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Try to use topic-specific keywords in order to have a complete coverage of relevant research. Always check the quality of the journal or publisher when evaluating the integrity of each source. You can also use reference management software such as EndNote or Zotero to stay organized. These tools save time and guarantee accuracy throughout your research by also reducing the efforts of organizing, categorizing, and citing tons of sources.
- Evaluate And Synthesize The Literature
Summarizing research is only one aspect of evaluating and synthesizing the literature. Examine your selected sources accurately to see how the themes, patterns, and gaps relate to each other. You should also look for similarities and differences comparing methodologies, results, and conclusions. Discuss the research gaps by drawing readers’ attention in order to define the context and defend your research. On the other hand, synthesis is the process of combining knowledge from different areas to create an effective story. This method guarantees that your literature review is critical and has an in-depth analysis of the research that is relevant to your topic instead of only presenting a collection of summaries.
- Plan Out Your Review
Writing a logical and consistent literature review requires effective organization. Select a structure based on your research goals for example a thematic approach or chronological approach. A thematic approach organizes research around core concepts, whereas a chronological structure includes the field’s evolution over time. Theoretical structures highlight various frameworks, while methodological structures compare research methods. Select a methodology that encourages flawless transitions and a clear connection between research. Remember that content that is well-structured makes it easier for readers to consider your arguments and understand how your work supports and expands previous research.
- Write The Review
Writing the review includes evolving your analysis into a well-organized and polished story. Introduce the topic by outlining the review’s goals, research question, and purpose. Discuss the primary themes or trends in the main body in terms of contrasting and comparing research. To keep readers interested then you must consider using logical flow and clear language. Summarize the main findings, point out any research gaps, and give recommendations for future research. A captivating conclusion of your review must highlight the importance of your work and how it contributes to the advancement of available literature.
- Properly Cite Your Sources
Citations must be done correctly in academic writing. Harvard, APA, and MLA are the three citation styles that are most frequently used in the UK. It is also crucial to adhere to the standards set forth by your department or university. Make sure to properly credit all of the sources that you have used in your literature review both in the reference list and in the body of the text. The citation process can be done more efficiently and accurately by using reference management software.
Typical Mistakes To Avoid: Comprehensive Literature Review Tips Uk
According to a study that was published in the Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods state that students usually struggle with information synthesis, keeping a critical point of view, and controlling the review’s scope when writing literature reviews. But how to avoid it is explained below:
Lack Of Focus: Your literature review should directly answer your research question while remaining on the topic of specific research.
Overly Descriptive: Don’t just summarize research. The literature should be critically analyzed and synthesized in your review.
Failure To Identify Gaps: A good literature review points out any gaps or areas that require more research. The review is compromised if this is not done effectively.
Overuse Of Quotations: A review that relies too much on direct quotes will look like a patchwork of different authors’ viewpoints. Instead, paraphrase and summarize to show that you understand.
Conclusion
Writing a literature review can be a daunting task but with proper planning and a systematic approach, it will become tolerable. You can create a thorough and insightful literature review by choosing a specific topic, carrying out an extensive literature search, critically evaluating sources, and excellently structuring your review. This process helps UK students to make sure their work makes a significant contribution in the scholarly area.
Reference List
Eaton, S.E., 2018. Educational research literature reviews: Understanding the hierarchy of sources.
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]