what is review of literature

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A literature review is a critical summary and evaluation of existing research on a particular topic. It is more than a list of sources—it's a synthesis of insights, trends, debates, and gaps in current knowledge.

It helps:

Understand what’s already been studied

Identify gaps in research

Justify your own research focus

A literature review is often a standalone section in academic works like:

PhD theses

Research papers

Systematic reviews

Research proposals

Why Is a Literature Review Important in Research?

Knowing how to write review of literature is crucial because:

It demonstrates your understanding of the field.

It ensures your research is original and not repeating existing studies.

It helps you build a theoretical framework for your research.

It highlights trends, limitations, and inconsistencies in current studies.

It serves as a foundation for methodology design.

Essentially, a literature review answers:

“What has already been said, and where does my research fit in?”

Types of Literature Reviews

Before diving into how to write review of literature, you need to know which type you're writing:

Narrative Review
Offers a summary and interpretation of existing work without a systematic approach.

Systematic Review
Uses a structured method to identify, evaluate, and synthesize research.

Scoping Review
Explores the breadth of literature on a broad topic.

Theoretical Review
Focuses on theoretical concepts and frameworks.

Critical Review
Evaluates and critiques research to expose strengths and weaknesses.

Understanding your objective helps you choose the right structure and tone.

How to Start Writing a Literature Review

Before you even begin writing, take these essential first steps:

1. Clarify Your Research Question or Thesis

The literature review should always align with your central research problem.

2. Define the Scope of Your Review

What time period, disciplines, or geographical areas are you covering?

3. Establish Evaluation Criteria

Decide what qualifies a source as relevant or reliable.

4. Keep a Research Journal

Note down key findings, insights, and critiques for each source.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write Review of Literature

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to write review of literature effectively:

Step 1: Define Your Topic and Scope

Narrow your topic: “Technology in education” is too broad; “Mobile learning apps in higher education” is better.

Set inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Step 2: Search for Relevant Literature

Use databases like:

Google Scholar

JSTOR

Scopus

PubMed (for medical fields)

Use keywords and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) for precision.

Step 3: Evaluate and Organize Sources

Ask:

Is the source credible?

Does it offer original insights?

Is it peer-reviewed?

Organize your sources using:

Chronological structure

Thematic structure

Methodological structure

Step 4: Identify Research Gaps and Common Themes

Look for:

Patterns and similarities

Conflicting findings

Areas that need more research

This forms the basis of your own research contribution.

Step 5: Structure Your Review

A clear structure might look like this:

Introduction: Topic, scope, purpose

Main Body: Thematic discussion with citations

Conclusion: Summary, gaps, research direction

Use transitions and subheadings to keep it readable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the best students make these mistakes:

Listing sources without analysis (annotation, not synthesis)

Ignoring contradictions or debates in the field

Overloading with too many references

Failing to link review to research question

Plagiarizing summaries instead of paraphrasing

Remember: Your job is to interpret the literature, not just present it.

Tips for Writing a High-Quality Literature Review

Use reference management tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote.

Paraphrase actively—don’t copy.

Be analytical, not just descriptive.

Revise for flow and logic—don’t let your review become a data dump.

Proofread multiple times for clarity and consistency.

Tools and Resources to Help You Write Better

Here are some tools that make the process smoother:

Zotero / Mendeley: Manage references

Grammarly / Hemingway: Improve grammar and readability

Google Scholar Alerts: Stay updated on new research

ChatGPT / AI writing tools: For brainstorming and outlines

Trello / Notion: Organize research notes

Why Professional Help Can Save You Time & Stress

Let’s be honest: writing a great literature review takes time, effort, and expertise. That’s why many scholars turn to professional services like ONDEZX.

Benefits of expert help:

Save time on complex searches and evaluations

Get personalized topic suggestions

Ensure academic formatting (APA, MLA, Harvard)

Access to premium journal databases

Plagiarism-free, well-organized content

How ONDEZX Can Help with Literature Review Writing

At ONDEZX, we offer end-to-end literature review writing services tailored for PhD scholars, master’s students, and academic researchers.

What We Offer:

Topic analysis and scoping

Literature sourcing and review

Thematic structuring

Full writing and editing support

Proper citations and formatting

We are recognized as:

Top PhD guidance company in Chennai

Best research consultants in Kerala

Trusted academic partners in Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad

With branches in Boston and Berlin, we offer global support with local expertise.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve explored exactly how to write review of literature, you can approach your research project with more confidence and clarity. Whether you’re starting fresh or rewriting an existing review, remember that quality literature reviews combine deep research, analytical thinking, and structured writing.

And if it still feels overwhelming—don’t worry. We’re here to help.

Get in touch with ONDEZX today for personalized, professional, and affordable PhD literature review assistance that puts you on the path to success.

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WHAT IS REVIEW OF LITERATURE

what is review of literature