Dissertation Literature Review Help | Chapter 2

The literature review chapter in a dissertation conducts an in-depth analysis of past research relevant to your chosen topic, aiming to identify key areas and pinpoint gaps in existing research. It comprehensively outlines the developments in the field, keeping the reader abreast of the latest thinking and research. This chapter serves as the backdrop for your study, substantiating your knowledge of previous research related to your topic. If you lack the necessary skills or find the task challenging, seeking personalized help for your dissertation literature review is the best course of action. This assistance will guide you through the literature review writing process.

In this dissertation chapter, it is essential to cover the following aspects:

  1. Major issues, schools of thought, and theories.
  2. Definitions and relationships of key variables in your study.
  3. Gaps in the body of knowledge.
  4. A theoretical framework describing the theoretical basis used to conduct research.

Purpose of the Dissertation Literature Review:

The dissertation literature review offers a critical written account of the existing body of knowledge on your selected topic. It identifies areas of prior research, places each source in context by illustrating how it contributes to understanding specific issues or areas of research, and delineates the relationship between each source and other scholarly works in the same field. Furthermore, the literature review identifies any gaps in previous research and points the way forward for future studies. A thorough literature review is crucial for establishing a solid foundation for your study. Therefore, it is imperative to possess comprehensive knowledge of the literature in your field while undertaking your dissertation. The breadth and depth of the literature showcase your credibility as a researcher in your field. Summarizing and synthesizing the ideas and arguments of others without adding new contributions is key. In most disciplines, sources in the literature review should be as current as possible, generally within the last five or ten years. However, a historical survey of the literature may be necessary in disciplines like social science, history, and humanities to highlight changes in perspectives over a certain period.

Organization of the Dissertation Literature Review:

Outlining the structure of the literature review is crucial. It is usually organized around ideas, combining both summary and synthesis. Instead of listing important sources and summarizing each one individually, it is advisable to read widely in your topic area and identify connecting issues or themes across sources. Organizing your review around each theme or topic involves considering whether there is a current debate, if sources reveal trends, if they present similar or different findings, and if there are any crucial aspects missing or gaps in the field. Simple, direct, and clear statements should be used as topic sentences to inform the reader of the main organizing theme for each topic and subtopic.

Writing the Dissertation Literature Review:

Once the organization is decided, you are ready to write each section. Begin by developing an outline for the most effective presentation of information. Consider the most important issues, topics, and subtopics to include in the review and determine the order of presentation. Select the most crucial points to highlight for each source. Summarize and synthesize sources within each paragraph and throughout the review, avoiding an article-by-article presentation. Discuss common themes or issues, indicating areas of agreement or disagreement in findings or gaps in the existing body of knowledge. Accurately present information from sources in your own words, using direct quotes sparingly and only when emphasizing a point or when the author’s words cannot be effectively paraphrased. Rely more on recent primary sources and peer-reviewed journal articles.

Draft, Draft, and Redraft the Literature Review:

After writing each section by theme, focus on revising your drafts to ensure proper presentation of material. Check if the review follows the earlier outlined structure, and if necessary, revise the outline for more coherent organization. Rework the language by rewriting and editing to ensure concise and clear presentation, free of unnecessary slang or jargon. Double-check documentation of all sources and ensure they are formatted according to your university’s preferred style. Conclude with an introduction that provides an overview of how the literature review is organized and a conclusion summarizing findings, posing questions about the field, and outlining future research.

Professional Dissertation Literature Review Help:

It is expected that you provide a well-analyzed overview of scholarly sources related to your research topic in the literature review of your dissertation. If you find yourself unable to accomplish this independently, consider seeking expert help to ensure your literature review meets the required standard. With the assistance of qualified and experienced writers or tutors, you can produce an outstanding second chapter that is well-researched, logically flowing, organized by themes or subtopics, and reads coherently as a whole. Onlinefreelancersnetwork has a proven track record of aiding students and scholars requiring assistance with their literature reviews. If you are pressed for time, lack the necessary know-how, or feel overwhelmed with conducting the literature search and writing the literature review for your dissertation, do not hesitate to contact us. We offer a competitive and affordable writing service, enabling you to obtain a dissertation literature review chapter without straining your budget. Our expert writers will identify the most suitable and relevant sources for your topic and compile a critical synthesis of themes in the existing body of research. Additionally, the completed literature review is checked with Turnitin to ensure it is free of plagiarism.

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