How To Write A Literature Review In 2025 (Including AI Tools) - FREE TEMPLATE + Examples)

Summary

This video demystifies the literature review process, guiding students through crafting a high-quality chapter in three clear steps. First, it covers finding and cataloging relevant research using tools like Google Scholar, academic databases, and AI, emphasizing relevance, recency, and proper organization. Next, it highlights planning the chapter with a flexible outline, discussing common structures such as theoretical framework, empirical research, and research gaps. Finally, it provides practical writing tips, stressing iterative drafting, critical analysis over mere description, and accurate referencing. With actionable advice and supporting resources, viewers gain a structured, approachable roadmap to build a strong, impactful literature review.

Takeaways

• 📚 A literature review synthesizes existing research and establishes the theoretical foundation for a study.
• 🧠 It helps identify what previous researchers have discovered and where your study can contribute new insights.
• 🔍 Finding relevant literature involves using Google Scholar, academic databases, and, if permitted, AI-powered tools.
• 📊 Pay attention to relevance, recency, and citation count when selecting papers; older papers may have more citations.
• 📝 Cataloging literature in a structured way, such as a spreadsheet, helps digest information and track sources effectively.
• 🗂️ Planning a literature review chapter with a rough outline prevents disjointed writing and provides a roadmap for the chapter.
• 🏗️ Common structures for literature reviews include theoretical framework → empirical research → research gap, thematic, chronological, or methodological organization.
• ✍️ Writing should be iterative: start with a messy first draft and refine through multiple rounds of editing.
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• 🔎 Focus on critical or analytical writing, emphasizing the implications ('so what') rather than just describing information ('what').
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• 📖 Proper referencing is essential to avoid plagiarism and maintain credibility; use reference management tools where possible.
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• 🎯 The three main steps of a literature review are: sourcing/cataloging literature, planning the chapter structure, and writing critically and iteratively.
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• 💡 Additional resources like templates, webinars, and boot camps can provide detailed guidance and support for creating a strong literature review.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of a literature review?

The literature review chapter presents and synthesizes existing research, laying the theoretical foundation for your study by exploring answers that previous researchers have found to your research question or related questions.

Why is a literature review considered an essential part of academic research?

A literature review is essential because it allows researchers to build on the work of others, providing a solid foundation for their study and situating it within the broader context of existing knowledge.

What are the three main steps in creating a literature review as described in the video?

The three main steps are: 1) finding and cataloging the literature, 2) planning and outlining your chapter, and 3) writing up the actual literature review.

How can Google Scholar be effectively used in the literature review process?

Google Scholar can be used by entering keywords related to your research question to find relevant articles. Attention should be paid to citation counts, relevance, and recency to select high-quality sources.

What is the importance of cataloging literature, and how should it be done?

Cataloging literature involves making structured notes, typically in a spreadsheet, about each article. This helps digest and synthesize information, track key findings, and make connections between articles, which is critical when writing the review.

What is the recommended approach to outlining a literature review chapter?

A rough outline should be created before writing, using broad bullet points to indicate what will be discussed and in what order. The outline acts as a road map but can be adjusted as the writing progresses.

What are the three key ingredients that most literature reviews contain?

Most literature reviews contain a theoretical framework, empirical research, and a research gap, which together can provide a basic structure for the chapter.

Why is iterative writing recommended for literature reviews?

Iterative writing is recommended because starting with a messy first draft and refining it over multiple rounds reduces pressure, prevents writer's block, and allows for clearer, more critical analysis.

What is the difference between descriptive and critical (analytical) writing in a literature review?

Descriptive writing explains the 'what' of research findings, while critical or analytical writing digs into the 'so what,' interpreting implications, strengths, and weaknesses of the research.

Why is proper referencing important in a literature review?

Proper referencing ensures credibility, prevents plagiarism, and gives appropriate credit to original authors. Incorrect referencing can result in lost marks or accusations of academic misconduct.

What additional resources does the video recommend for improving literature review skills?

The video recommends a free literature review template, a Literature Review 101 webinar, a literature catalog worksheet, and a literature review boot camp for more detailed guidance.