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.
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.
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A dissertation can be divided into the following key chapters or sections. Following this structure will help you organise your research efficiently.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
The conclusion is the dissertation's final chapter. It summarises the study's findings and provides recommendations for future research.
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.
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.
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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.
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.