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A literature review for a dissertation is typically longer than a literature review for a research paper. The dissertation literature review can be 15 to 20 pages in length and can vary depending on the length of the dissertation.
For a dissertation, the literature review will usually be around 10-20% of the total word count. It means that, for a 10,000-word dissertation, you would aim for 1,000-2,000 words in your literature review.
What is a dissertation?
A dissertation is a well-written account of the research done by a scholar, researcher, or student. Dissertations are part of doctoral and master's degree programs, and students spend considerable time conceptualising, conducting and documenting the research.
The written account of the research is called a dissertation. Scholars present and defend their dissertations to succeed and earn higher education degrees.
Before we jump to specifics, I'd like to learn how you can craft one.
Which are the key sections of a dissertation?
A dissertation can be divided into the following key chapters or sections. Following this structure will help you organise your research efficiently.
1. Introduction
The introduction is the first chapter of a dissertation and serves as a roadmap for the rest of the document. In this chapter, you will provide an overview of the research problem, literature review, research objectives, and research methodology.
2. Literature Review
The literature review critically analyses the existing scholarly literature on the chosen research topic. In this chapter, you will be able to cover the existing literature and identify any gaps in knowledge that your study will address.
3. Research Methodology
The research methodology chapter provides a detailed explanation of how the research will be conducted. It includes a description of the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis procedures. You can add a "methods" chapter after this one.
Check Also: What is the position of the methodology chapter in a dissertation?
4. Results
The results chapter presents the findings of your study. You will include the empirical or qualitative results, significant findings, and implications for theory and practice.
5. Discussion
The discussion is typically presented in the fifth chapter of a dissertation. You must interpret the research findings and go over their consequences. Also, the discussion should talk about how the findings contribute to our understanding of the problem or issue under consideration.
6. Conclusion
The conclusion is the dissertation's final chapter. It summarises the study's findings and provides recommendations for future research.
Here's how you can divide your dissertation into chapters according to the word count!
The chapter-wise and overall word count can vary from university to university and field to field. So, it's always a good idea to consult your instructor and library guidelines before locking the dissertation word count.
The general division of the dissertation is done as follows
Chapter | % weightage of word count |
Abstract | Max less than 1% |
Introduction | 10% to 12% |
Literature Review | 10% to 20% |
Methodology | 15% to 20% |
Results | 5% to 8% |
Discussion | Up to 30% |
Conclusion | 10% to 15% |
Now that you have a clear idea of basic division, it will help you structure it according to your university's guidelines. Premier Dissertations can help you understand the requirements of your dissertation and draft general guidelines to follow while crafting your dissertation.
How should I structure a literature review in a dissertation?
The following paragraphs will answer your question about how to structure your literature review in a dissertation.
A literature review is structured just like other sections of a dissertation. Start with highlighting the main points you are going to review and tee up your readers about what to expect in the literature review.
The literature review's body should be organized around specific themes or topics.
Make sure to address each theme or topic in a separate section, and each section should include a critical evaluation of the literature relevant to that theme or topic. The paper's body should consist of a critical evaluation of the existing literature on the topic under consideration.
The conclusion should summarize the primary findings of the literature review and discuss their implications for future research.
When writing a literature review for a dissertation, you should ensure that your argument fits with the project's overall objectives. Using only reputable sources, such as peer-reviewed journal articles and books from respected publishers, is important.
Be mindful that a literature review is not simply a list of all the sources you consulted in preparing your paper, nor is a summary of each source you consulted but an analytical overview of the existing literature on a topic.
What material should you choose for research?
The internet has made researching both easier and more difficult for students. On the one hand, a wealth of information is readily available at our fingertips. However, this also means that we need to be able to filter out irrelevant or inaccurate sources. Having literature review samples on hand can be helpful in this regard, as you can use them as references for your own work.
When conducting research, it's important to find a balance between having too broad or too narrow of a focus; otherwise, your research will suffer.
Consider the following points while gearing up for your research.
- Define the scope of your research.
- Identify your research question or questions.
- Identify the key concepts associated with your research question or questions.
- Identify the main types of sources you will consult (e.g., primary, secondary, tertiary).
- Identify the specific sources you will consult (e.g., books, journal articles, websites).
- Evaluate the quality of your sources.
- Organize and keep track of your sources.
- Use your sources to answer your research question or questions
Conclusion
If you're starting to feel overwhelmed, don't worry. The best way to get through it is to take things one step at a time. And that's where we come in. Premier Dissertations can help you with every stage of the dissertation writing process, from coming up with a topic to conducting research and writing the final paper. We have extensive experience helping students just like you earn their degrees and achieve their academic goals. Contact us for a free consultation today, and let us show you how we can assist make your dissertation dreams a reality.
- Provide a description of the research problem being addressed.
- Describe the research that has been conducted on the topic being addressed.
- Discuss the findings of the available research on the topic being addressed.
- Evaluate the validity and authenticity of available literature on the topic under study.
- Identify gaps in the knowledge already accumulated on the topic in question.
- Consider and evaluate the impact of available findings
- Highlight the need for modern
- Is well-organized and has a clear structure
- Summarizes the key points of the literature
- Critically evaluates the literature
- Synthesizes the literature to identify gaps and areas for further research
- Relates the literature to the research question
- Uses a variety of sources, including primary and secondary sources
- Is up to date with the latest research in the field
- Provides a clear rationale for why certain pieces of literature were included or excluded
- Situates the literature within the broader context of the field
- Uses a clear and consistent methodology for selecting and reviewing the literature
- Is well-organized and easy to follow
- Is written in clear, concise prose
