A word of advice: select a topic related to your area of study that you are inte
A word of advice: select a topic related to your area of study that you are interested in and narrow the scope, meaning keep it simple. For example, don′t try to research the effect servant leadership has on follower happiness, burnout, and turnover. Instead, narrow it down to servant leadership and burnout.
Structure of a Literature Review
A well-structured literature review typically includes:
Introduction:
Outline the topic and its importance.
Specify the objective of the literature review.
Body:
Organize either thematically, methodologically, or chronologically. Each section within the body covers a different angle or component of the topic.
Discussion should explain and critique the major findings in the literature up to that point, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
Conclusion:
Summarize the major findings and their implications.
Identify gaps in the current literature, providing a rationale for further research.
Importance in Research
A literature review is foundational for any academic research project or scholarly article. A thesis, dissertation, or grant proposal demonstrates the researcher′s depth of knowledge and the justification for the research proposed. In articles, it situates the research within the broader field, showing how it addresses questions raised by others or challenges established views.
A literature review serves both as a guide to a particular topic and as a framework for establishing the relevance and the need for the research to be conducted.