Literature Review Essentials: A Step-by-Step Guide to Synthesizing Sources for Your Dissertation

Literature review is a very important aspect of any dissertation as it sets the base of your research, as you interact with the available studies and establish gaps in knowledge. Nonetheless, the synthesis of sources is a confusing process to many students as they have no idea which way to arrange and analyze the materials. This guide will make this process easier by offering a simple step-by-step action plan to do a comprehensive literature review.

Whether it is defining the sources that are worth reading to extracting major themes and assessing the worth of the research, this post will take you through the process with a certain degree of confidence. You are either doing your first dissertation or just upgrading your research expertise and therefore, it is very important to know how to blend various sources into a unified story to come up with a comprehensive and effective review. It is time to explore the basics that will make your literature review coherent and informative, and establish the success of your dissertation.

What is a Literature Review? From Summary to Synthesis

Before delving into how to write a literature review, let’s have a look at what basically is it. Literature review is a very important section in an academic research especially in dissertation, as literature review acts as a full time survey of the studies, theories and findings available on your research question. Instead of just overlaying on the previous research, an effective literature review will go an extra mile to analyze, synthesize and critique the research in a bid to lay the groundwork to your research. The distinction between summary and synthesis is an important factor in writing a well-written review because you must not only identify the gaps in the literature but also provide a reason why you should carry out your research.

If you are new to academic writing understanding the foundations of Academic Research and Formatting can help you structure your work effectively.

The Core Purpose

The main objective of literature review is to differentiate your research in terms of its position in the literature. It assists in detecting patterns, tendencies, hypocrisies of the prior researches and enables you to point out gaps that your dissertation attempts to fill in. Through a literature review, you get to trace the development of study in a specific area and can also prove to the world how your study will add to the current academic debate.

Read our guide on how to write strong thesis proposal structure to understand how this connects to developing a research proposal.

The Hierarchy of Engagement

A literature review is a step of enhancing your involvement with the already existing research. It starts by summarizing the findings, goes into an examination of the same and finally ends with synthesizing the material.

• Summary: On the simplest level, you provide the summary of the main findings, theories and methodologies of each source. This provides the reader with the impression of the current research field but this is not yet linked to your work.
• Analysis: The analysis that follows is evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each source critically. This involves such issues as research design, sample size, and methodology and evaluating the relevance of the source to your research question.
• Synthesis: The last step is literature review synthesis, which entails the combination of concepts of different researches to form new perceptions, recognize patterns, and contextualize your study. It requires relation between ideas, comparison and placing your work into the greater academic discourse.

Phase 1: The Strategic Search & Selection Process

Phase 1 of the literature review is strategic search and selection of the sources. This stage is very important since it provides a basis of the whole review. The literature review may be disorganized or even incomplete without a specific and systematic method of source collection. By establishing the scope of your research, using powerful searching techniques, and applying such method as snowballing, you can be sure that you collect a quality and relevant source of information to write your dissertation.

Defining Your Scope: Using Your Research Question to Set Boundaries

The initial process in search is a definition of the scope of your review. The research question is to be your driving force in the process of selecting the relevant studies. This assists in reducing the sheer volume of literature that is available and you are not lost in irrelevant matters. When you have a clear boundary, depending on the aim of the questions then you are able to have only the relevant sources taken and this makes your systematic literature review more focused and coherent.

Keyword Strategies & Database Searching

Relevant sources may be found only with the help of effective keywords policy and the use of academic databases. An effective search will mean that you are able to find quality and peer-reviewed literature to use as your dissertation.

• Find the relevant keywords: This should be done by identifying broad keywords and then narrowing them down to specific relevant keywords. Add synonyms and other related ideas to expand your search.
• Use Boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT are the most effective keywords to use in order to narrow down your search results (ex. climate change AND urbanization).
• Select appropriate databases: Select databases that are pertinent in your area of research, i.e., JSTOR, Google Scholar, Scopus or PubMed to locate peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and conference papers.
• Filter results: In order to narrow down results and concentrate on the most relevant and recent studies, apply filters by date of publication, language, and type of document.

The "Snowballing" Technique

The snowballing technique is a good way of finding out the other sources. Once the important articles have been identified, search through their reference list to locate other useful articles. It can take you to the original research or smaller articles which could have referred to your original source. It provides an excellent opportunity to discover the sources that were not found during the first search in the database and yet are extremely helpful in answering your research question.

Knowing When to Stop: Achieving saturation, not exhaustion

It is necessary to know when to quit searching. This is aimed at getting to the saturation stage where you are not getting any more new knowledge or meaningful research out of your search. Further search after this is a limited event resulting in diminishing returns since further searching becomes tedious and non-productive. When you start recognizing similar results or you see numerous sources that do not contribute to your overview, then it is time to cease and commence synthesis of what you have already assembled.

Phase 2: Critical Reading & The Synthesis Matrix

After compiling your sources, you will now be at the second stage of your literature review, which will be critical reading and synthesizing sources. Critical reading plays an important role in determining the quality of the source, its background, and defining major themes that will be used in your dissertation. The synthesis matrix is an effective means to systematize and integrate the findings of different researches so that you could predict patterns, contradictions, and gaps in the literature. This step prepares you well to be able to incorporate your sources in a smooth story.

How to Read with a Purpose

In order to thoroughly read your sources, you need to have a purpose of doing this. It is not only to collect information, but also to assess in a critical way what each source has contributed to your research question. The following is an example of purposeful reading:

• Identify the main argument: What is the general thesis or claim of the article? Pay attention to the main points of the author and the way he/she makes contributions to the field.
• Evaluate methodology and evidence: Determine how well the research has been done in terms of research design, size, data collection procedures, and the trustworthiness of the evidence used.
• Mark strengths and weaknesses: Write down the strengths of the research, and also write down any limitations or gaps, particularly those that are pertinent to your research question.
• Find themes and patterns: As you read, create common themes or concepts, which are applicable in your dissertation. This will assist in the grouping and organizing of your sources in the synthesis process.

Building Your Synthesis Matrix: A step-by-step guide

A synthesis matrix is an organized aid that will assist you in organizing the data of your sources and finding how the various researches relate to each other. Here’s how to build one:

• Design your matrix structure: The first stage would be to set up a table whereby the rows would be the various sources and the columns would be the main themes, variables, or research questions.
• Populate the matrix: Under the corresponding themes or research questions, summarize important findings, arguments and evidence of each source. Keep it short-time-there is no need to create a detailed overview, but a tool to use in a hurry.
• Identify patterns: As you complete the matrix, find patterns between studies. Does it have any common findings or any major differences? It will assist in synthesizing the material and making connections between sources.
• Identify gaps: The gaps in the literature will also be highlighted in the matrix, which will enable you to see where additional research is required or where your study can make new information.

Example

An example of a simplistic visual illustration of a literature review matrix of the topic of Social Media and Adolescent Mental Health is presented below:

Here sources are divided into themes such as the effects on Anxiety and the effects on Self-esteem using this, it is possible to compare the results and find out any agreements or disagreements. The research quality and context are displayed in the methodology column, and the key findings column presents the brief information on the contributions of each study.

Phase 3: From Notes to Narrative: Identifying Themes & Structure

After you have compiled and interpreted the information that you have collected through your sources, you need to put together your findings in a logical story. It includes determining important themes and organizing your review in such a way that it presents connections among the studies and answers your research question. A structured dissertation literature review will aid the reader to navigate through you findings and identify patterns, contradictions and gaps on the existing study.

Analyzing the Matrix

• Identify dominant themes: Go through your synthesis matrix and find those columns with a great number of entries. These are the major themes or concepts that were much exploited in literature.
• Spot contradictions: Take note of the areas of contradictions between the sources. Such contradictions may be used to emphasize discussions or areas of current studies.
• Identify gaps: Identify themes or areas in your matrix where few or no entries are made. These gaps indicate the required areas of research or your dissertation may have a significant impact.

Choosing a Structure

The most important thing to do is to select appropriate structure in order to present your literature review in a logical and coherent way. The three most popular ways to structure your review are as follows:

• Thematic: This is the most widespread and efficient way of literature synthesis. Arrange your review based on major themes, concepts or controversies that arise out of your synthesis matrix. This enables you to cluster studies based on the concepts they discuss and attempt to be more analytical.
• Chronological: Here you follow out the development of thought on a subject. This is applicable when the research has taken a new dimension or you would like to demonstrate how theories or methodologies have transformed with time.
• Methodological: Groups of studies according to the research they conducted. This structure is effective when the methods are very varied, or when you are interested in the effectiveness of various methodologies.

For formatting guidance, read our guide for using APA headings and subheadings correctly.

Crafting a Detailed Outline

After you select a structure, develop an elaborate outline in which every theme or heading incorporates an important idea in your matrix. In every theme, enumerate the studies and sources contributing to the same theme and make sure that you are combining summary and analysis. Such a detailed outline will allow you to organize your ideas making it easier to come up with a final story of your literature review and at the same time to be sure that all the relevant research is introduced in a clear way.

Phase 4: Writing the Synthesis: The "They Say / I Say" Method

Once you have found themes and developed an outline, the last thing that you need to do is to turn your notes into a concise, critical story. It is here that synthesis really occurs. You are not going to talk about each source individually; rather, you are aimed at engaging several studies in a dialogue with each other. To do this, it is useful to use the They Say / I Say approach because this method balances what other researchers have done with critical interpretation on your part.

Read our guide for and to understand the ethical citation practices.

The Paragraph Formula for Synthesis

A good synthesis paragraph will tend to be well structured and it will tend to combine several voices without losing your analytical point of view.

1. Topic Sentence: Introduces the Theme or Debate

   Begin the paragraph with a clear introduction of the theme or debate that you are going to write about. This is an indication to the reader of what part of the literature you are analyzing.

2. They Say: Present the Conversation in the Literature

   Then combine the ideas of several researchers. Compare and relate the findings of the studies with comparative language instead of listing a single study at a time.

   Example approach:

   • Whereas one study puts a focus on the fact that, another study puts a focus on the fact that, etc.
   • On the same note, a number of scholars state that...
   • Nevertheless, according to other researches, this assumption is not always so...

   This section demonstrates the way in which scholars concur, disagree or advance the work of other scholars.

3. I Say: Your Analytical Voice

   And lastly, present your point of view. That is where you will interpret the discussion or draw conclusions or point out gaps in the research.

   Examples include:

   • It is an argument that shows a gap in knowledge...
   • These studies, together, imply that...
   • Nevertheless, there is a gap in research on this topic.

   Your voice will relate literature to the purpose of your dissertation.

Example: Weak Summary vs Strong Synthesis

A weak summary is a catalogue of study results whereas a strong synthesis integrates sources, compares findings and incorporates analysis in bringing out patterns, contradictions or gaps.

Phase 5: Framing the Review: Introduction & Conclusion

Once you have synthesized your sources and made your narrative, the last thing is writing a literature review chapter by having an introduction and conclusion. These paragraphs provide your review focus and unity, and assist your readers to recognize the intent, extent, and the meaning of your work. A good introduction gives futures and a good conclusion gives weight to the main results you find and gaps, which connect to your research objectives.

Writing the Introduction

The introduction takes the reader to your field of interest and area. Put your research question into perspective in the larger discipline and justify its significance, and describe your choice of sources in a couple of sentences. Outline important themes or discussions you will discuss in your review which will give you an idea of how the organization is structured and what you will find during the synthesis.

Stuck on how to write an abstract in APA 7th edition? Then worry not, you can read our blog on How to Write an APA Abstract (7th Edition) for the guidance and for getting the templates.

Writing the Conclusion

The conclusion must also provide a summary of the primary findings in your review without reiterating the points made in the body. Point out the patterns, contradictions, and gaps that your synthesis has enabled you to arrive at, and explain how this insight warrants your dissertation or research interest. An excellent conclusion is also an indicator of the contribution your research will have on the field, returning the review to your research question and establishing the prelude to the following chapters of your dissertation.

Common Literature Review Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Literature review is not an easy task and a number of pitfalls may spoil it. It is possible to address these problems at the initial stage and implement specific measures to make sure that your review is both descriptive and coherent which will allow establishing your research properly.

The "Book Report" or "Shopping List"

One common error is to list out sources individually, and form a disjointed shopping-list of papers. This technique does not demonstrate any relationships or patterns throughout the literature.

Fix: A synthesis matrix can be used to structure your sources and get a thematic literature review structure. Study together in groups using topics or arguments or ideas in a group of such a way that your entire review is a unified analysis and not a compilation of summaries.

Lacking a Critical Voice

The other pitfall is the inability to critically evaluate and review sources and thus the review is not analytical but descriptive.

Fix: Add the I Say element to each paragraph. This will enable you to compare the researches, point out inconsistencies, and give your own meaning which reflects critical analysis of the literature.

Not Justifying the Gap

In some cases, the research gap is mentioned without an adequate explanation and thus it seems arbitrary.

Fix: Be sure that the gap is a logical creation of your synthesized narrative. To be able to fill that gap, your conclusion must clearly indicate what has been covered, what has not been covered and why you need to conduct your study.

By circumventing these traps, your literature review will go beyond a summary to an organized, critical and meaningful review, which will reinforce your dissertation.

Tools & Technology for Management

Without the tools, it can be tedious to manage your sources and to do some organization of your literature review. The use of digital technology is not only time-saving; it is also accurate and consistent when it comes to the process of conducting research. The current tools assist in simplifying references management, taking notes, and synthesis to concentrate on analysis and writing.

Citation Managers

Citation software such as Zotero, Mendeley and EndNote are priceless in terms of tracking sources, creating citations and sorting references by theme or project. You can store PDFs, tag articles, and add citations into your manuscript making them easier to organize and reduce errors in the process.

Digital Synthesis

Digital aids are also helpful in information synthesis. Such applications as spreadsheet-based synthesis matrices can assist you in sorting notes, underlining important results, and drawing correlation between studies. With such tools you can easily see patterns, contradictions, and gaps and transform a set of notes into a coherent story that can be presented in your literature review.

Those technologies ensure that the literature review and synthesis process become much more efficient and organized.

Conclusion

An effective literature review is not a mere summary of what has been done or writing of what has been written, but that is a structured, critical and synthesized literature review that forms the basis of your dissertation. Through the step-by-step process of strategic searching and critical reading to source synthesis and construction of your narrative, you will be able to discern a central theme, gaps in literature, and the discussion in the area. Use of tools, good voice and use of structured approaches will make sure that your review is coherent, insightive and directly aligned with the aim of your research.