Literature Review and Critical Analysis
A literature review is a comprehensive survey of scholarly sources on a specific topic. It provides a critical analysis of existing research, identifying gaps and areas for further study. It is an essential component of a PhD dissertation, as it demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge of the field and their ability to synthesize and evaluate research findings.
Conducting a comprehensive literature review involves several steps:
- Identify relevant sources: Use academic databases, search engines, and bibliographies to find scholarly articles, books, and conference proceedings on your topic.
- Critically evaluate sources: Examine the credibility, reliability, and relevance of each source. Consider the author’s expertise, the methodology used, and the quality of the evidence presented.
- Organize and synthesize findings: Group similar findings together and identify patterns and themes. Use a logical structure to present your analysis, such as chronological order, thematic categories, or research methods.
- Identify gaps and areas for further research: Highlight areas where existing research is lacking or inconclusive. Suggest potential avenues for future study to advance the field.
Approaches to Organizing and Presenting a Literature Review
There are several approaches to organizing and presenting a literature review:
