A literature review is a section of your thesis where you summarize and synthesize significant research conducted by others related to your topic. This is an essential component that establishes the context and foundation for your thesis, ensuring your research is well-informed, credible, and contributes to the existing body of knowledge. The purpose of a literature review is to establish what's already known and what areas require further investigation. However, it's important to note that it's not merely a collection of source summaries. Instead, it's a discussion that connects and integrates these sources to provide a complete understanding of the topic. This process involves synthesizing, which means weaving the summarized sources together into a cohesive narrative.
In certain fields like Social Sciences and the Humanities, it is common to incorporate a theoretical framework within the literature review section of your research thesis. A theoretical framework is a set of theories, concepts, and models that serve as an intellectual base for your research. This section is important because it provides you with a well-structured perspective to guide the interpretation of findings, and it helps the reader understand where the study stands in relation to current literature and other theoretical viewpoints.
The way in which you organize your literature review will depend on your research goals and the specific characteristics of your topic. To write a strong literature review, ask yourself what aspects are most pertinent to your thesis's objectives. Consider organizing by themes, chronology, methodology, or other relevant factors that you might find in the process.