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Section 1 - Introduction

This section needs to (briefly) introduce the chapter to your reader and help orient them in terms of what to expect. This is usually quite short, consisting of a few paragraphs.

Depending on the nature of your project, you’ll typically cover some (or all) of the following in this section:

• A quick reminder of your research topic and research aims
• A brief explanation of the purpose of the literature review chapter (the “why”)
• An outline of the scope of your literature review (what you will and won’t cover)
• A brief overview detailing the layout/structure of the chapter

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Here’s a practical example:

This chapter explores existing research relevant to [your research topic], focusing on [key themes or variables]. The primary aim of this literature review is to establish the theoretical and empirical foundation for this study, identify gaps in the current knowledge, and position this research within the broader academic conversation.

The review covers [specific areas you will include, e.g., key theories, models, recent studies], while excluding [areas you are not covering, e.g., unrelated frameworks, certain methodologies] due to [reason, e.g., relevance, scope limitations].

The chapter is structured as follows: First, it provides an overview of [theoretical perspectives]. Next, it examines [key debates or empirical studies]. Finally, it highlights research gaps and justifies how this study will contribute to the field.

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Keep your introduction section concise. There’s no need to go into detail here – save your word count for the body section, as this is where you’ll earn marks.

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IMPORTANT:

If you’re not 100% clear on your research aims, check out this explainer video. It’s essential that you’ve got this pinned down before starting your review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d3JO-mCzfw

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Next, you’ll move into the body section of your literature review. For the sake of simplicity, we break this down into three sections, namely:

1. The foundation of theory (existing theory relevant to your research aims)
2. The empirical research (data-driven studies)
3. The research gap (the “lacking area” in the literature)

However, this is not set in stone. You may, for example, blend these three components together into one body section. Similarly, your university may require that you present the theoretical framework in a separate section. So, pay close attention to your institution’s guidance documents and requirements, and if possible, try to review past dissertations/theses from your specific program to get a feel for the norms.

P.S. You can also check out our collection of dissertation examples here.

Section 2 - The theoretical framework