What Exactly is a Literature Search Review?
A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources (books, journal articles, and theses) related to a specific topic or research question. However, it is not just a summary.
The Core Objectives:
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Synthesize: Combine arguments from multiple sources to show the "big picture."
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Evaluate: Judge the research's quality and validity.
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Contextualize: Place your own research within the existing academic dialogue.
For students undertaking complex medical or scientific projects, systematic literature review writing services uk are often required. A systematic review differs from a standard review as it follows a strict, replicable methodology to eliminate bias—a requirement often found in healthcare and psychology degrees.
The 5-Step Process to Writing a Literature Review
Writing a review is a cycle of reading, thinking, and writing. A successful literature review requires engaging with key theories, analysing existing research, and continuously refining your understanding of the topic. By critically examining scholarly debates and theoretical frameworks, you strengthen the academic foundation of your dissertation or thesis.
Step 1: Search and Select
Start with broad databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, or Scopus. Use keywords related to your research question.
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Tip: Don't just read the title. Read the Abstract and Conclusion to decide if a paper is relevant before you commit to the whole text.
Step 2: Evaluate and Critique
This is where literature analysis services shine. You must ask:
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Is the methodology sound?
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Is the author biased?
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Is the data current?
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Does this contradict other research?
Step 3: Identify Themes and Gaps
Stop thinking in terms of "Authors" and start thinking in terms of "Themes."
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Do authors A, B, and C all agree on the causes? Group them.
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Do authors D and E disagree? That is a debate.
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What is everyone ignoring? That is your Gap.
Step 4: Outline the Structure
You need a logical flow. Common structures include:
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Thematic: Grouping by ideas (e.g., "Economic Impact," "Social Impact").
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Chronological: Following the topic's development over time.
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Methodological: Comparing qualitative vs. quantitative studies.
Step 5: Write
Weave your sources together. Use transition words to show agreement ("Similarly," "In concordance with") or disagreement ("Conversely," "However," "On the other hand").
The University of Manchester – Academic Phrasebank – A vital resource for finding the right academic words to link authors together.
The Difference Between "Summary" and "Synthesis"
This is the difference between a 2:2 and a 1st Class grade.
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Summary: "Smith (2020) argues that AI is dangerous. Jones (2021) argues that AI is beneficial." (This is just a listing.
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Synthesis: "While Smith (2020) highlights the existential risks of AI, Jones (2021) counters this by focusing on efficiency gains. However, both authors overlook the regulatory framework needed to mitigate Smith's concerns, a gap this study aims to address." (This is a synthesis
How My Perfect Writing Supports Your Review
The literature review is often the heaviest chapter in terms of workload. It involves reading dozens, sometimes hundreds, of papers. Here is how My Perfect Writing helps.
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We don't just summarize; we analyze. Our team includes PhD-qualified researchers who can conduct a deep-dive search into your topic, selecting only the most credible, peer-reviewed sources. We structure the review thematically, ensuring a logical flow that leads directly to your research question. When writing the literature review, we carefully organise existing studies into key themes, debates, and conceptual categories to demonstrate coherence and academic depth.
As part of conducting a literature review, we critically evaluate and synthesise relevant scholarly research, allowing each section to build logically toward the justification of your study.
Systematic Literature Review Writing Services UK
For students in Nursing, Medicine, or Psychology, a systematic review follows strict protocols (PRISMA guidelines). Our experts are trained in these rigorous methodologies, ensuring your inclusion/exclusion criteria are clear and your data extraction is accurate.
Authentic & Critical Analysis
We guarantee 100% human-written content. AI tools can summarize, but they cannot critically appraise a methodology or spot a subtle theoretical bias. Our literature analysis services provide the critical depth required for university-level work, backed by Turnitin reports to ensure academic integrity.
When writing your review, we conduct a structured search for relevant scholarly sources and apply appropriate research methodology standards to evaluate and synthesise existing studies. This approach ensures your literature review demonstrates critical analysis, methodological awareness, and strong academic credibility.
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You review the source selection and the draft analysis first, especially since the literature review is a key part of your dissertation or thesis. This stage allows you to assess whether the summary of the research accurately reflects existing studies and demonstrates strong academic rigour.
Conclusion
A literature review is more than just a hurdle; it is the foundation of your authority. By demonstrating that you know what has been written before, you earn the right to contribute something new. Whether you are conducting a narrative review for a humanities essay or a systematic review for a clinical trial, the skills of synthesis and critical appraisal are essential.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a literature review be?
There is no fixed length, as it depends entirely on the assignment. For a standard 10,000-word dissertation, the literature review typically accounts for about 20% to 25% of the total word count, meaning roughly 2,000 to 2,500 words. However, if the assignment is a standalone literature review as part, it might take up the entire word count. It is always crucial to check your specific module handbook for precise guidelines.
How many sources do I need?
As a general rule of thumb, an undergraduate essay might require 5 to 10 sources, while an undergraduate dissertation usually needs between 20 and 40. For a Master’s thesis, you should aim for more than 50 sources. However, quality is far more important than quantity in any academic literature review. A strong review critically evaluates existing research rather than simply listing sources. Ten recent, peer-reviewed journal articles aligned with your research question will always be more valuable than fifty outdated or irrelevant texts.
Can I use the first person ("I") in my review?
In a literature review, it is generally better to keep the focus on the literature rather than yourself. Using phrases like "This review will explore" or "Evidence suggests" is preferred over saying "I think." The only exception is often the methodology section of the review. In some cases, particularly within a dissertation or thesis, you might use “I” to explain how you selected your sources or defined your search parameters as part of the literature review methodology. This is especially common in systematic literature reviews, where you clarify your inclusion and exclusion criteria, database selection, and search strategy. By doing so, the literature review becomes a transparent and structured component of your research, demonstrating academic rigour and methodological clarity.
What is a "Theoretical Framework"?
A theoretical framework often sits within or alongside the literature review. It explains the specific theories or models you are using to understand your data. For example, if you are studying employee motivation, your theoretical framework might draw on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to justify how you interpret and analyse your data. In a dissertation or thesis, this connection must be supported by scholarly literature, demonstrating how existing research informs your conceptual approach. A well-developed literature review critically evaluates relevant theories, empirical studies, and academic debates to show why a particular framework is appropriate and how it aligns with your research objectives.
Can My Perfect Writing help me find the "Gap"?
Yes, identifying the gap in the literature is often the hardest part of the process. Our experts can review the current state of research in your field and pinpoint exactly what hasn't been done yet. This gives you a strong, evidence-based justification for your own dissertation topic by positioning it within existing knowledge and demonstrating how it builds on previous scholarly research. A well-written literature review not only synthesises and critically evaluates existing studies but also identifies gaps, inconsistencies, and underexplored areas in the field. By clearly showing where current research falls short, you establish the necessity and originality of your dissertation or thesis, providing a clear academic rationale for your study.
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