Literature Review Best Practices for Graduate Students
A comprehensive guide to conducting and writing an effective literature review that demonstrates your scholarly expertise.
Thesis Generator Research Team
Research Team
What is a Literature Review?
A literature review is a comprehensive survey of scholarly sources on a specific topic. It provides an overview of current knowledge, allowing you to identify relevant theories, methods, and gaps in the existing research.
Steps to Write an Effective Literature Review
1. Define Your Research Question
Before diving into the literature, clearly define what you want to learn about.
2. Search for Relevant Literature
Use academic databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, and PubMed to find peer-reviewed articles.
3. Evaluate Sources
Critically assess each source for relevance, credibility, and contribution to your research.
4. Analyze and Synthesize
Look for patterns, themes, debates, and gaps across your sources.
5. Write Your Review
Organize your review thematically or chronologically, and include critical analysis.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many sources should a literature review have?
For a master's thesis, typically 40-50 sources; for a PhD, 100+ sources.
How long should a literature review be?
Usually 20-40% of your total thesis length.
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