How to do a PhD literature review properly? Be intentional and critical! Steal my strategy and templates!

PhD literature reviews should centre on intention and critique. Learn how to do this properly, and you’ll crush your literature review in no time!

Greetings, fellow academics! Dr. Elizabeth Yardley here, and today I'm thrilled to share with you a comprehensive guide on how to elevate your literature review game. Drawing on my two decades of experience supporting postgrad and PhD students through their dissertations, I've curated five invaluable tips that will not only save you time but also transform the efficiency of your literature review process.

1. Intentional Active Reading: Navigating the Sea of Literature

In the vast sea of academic literature, intentional active reading acts as your navigational compass. It's all too easy to get lost in the ocean of information, meandering through articles and books without a clear purpose. Join me in this first step of our journey, where we'll explore how to align each piece of literature with your research aims and questions.

Begin by establishing a clear focus. As you pick up a piece of literature, ask yourself:

How does this align with my research aims?

Which of my research questions does it help answer?

By setting these parameters, you'll avoid the aimless drifting that often plagues literature reviews. To enhance your focus, consider annotating the text, either by printing it out or saving it as a PDF for interactive note-taking. This ensures that you engage actively with the material, making notes, highlighting key points, and questioning as you progress.

2. Effective Description: Mastering the Art of Academic Summaries

Now that you've anchored your reading with intention, let's delve into the art of effective description. Contrary to what some might think, description is a vital component of critical analysis. It's the ability to distill complex ideas into brief, impactful summaries, showcasing your mastery of academic writing.

Imagine being able to convey the main points, key arguments, and major contributions of a piece of literature in just one or two sentences. That's the power of effective description. You’ll learn to be concise without sacrificing essential details, ensuring your summaries are not only rich but also time-efficient.

Use phrases like these when describing:

This article's main focus is on _______ and how it relates to _______.

In this paper, the author explores _______ in the context of _______ and argues that _______.

In their (year) paper, exploring _______, (author names) argue that ______.

In relation to ________, this item analyses _______ and its implications for _______.

The main focus of this item is on _______ and its relationship with _______ by _______.

3. Interpretation: Unveiling Meanings and Implications

With intentional active reading and effective description as our foundation, let's move to the next level—interpretation. Here, we're not just understanding the literature; we're unveiling its meanings and implications specifically in relation to your research.

As you interpret a piece of literature, consider its application to your topic, aims, and questions.

How does it contribute to your research, and what are its implications for your study?

By accepting or rejecting the arguments presented, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how the literature aligns with your unique research goals.

Use phrases like these when interpreting:

This study _______ has consequences for _______ by _______.

When considering the implications of this item for _______, it becomes clear that _______.

When applied to _______, the arguments presented in this paper suggest that _______.

In relation to _______, this study suggests that _______ has significant implications for _______.

4. Proper Evaluation: Judging the Value for Your Research

Evaluating literature is not about its general acclaim in the academic world but about its specific utility for your research. Strengthen your critical thinking skills by assessing the strengths, weaknesses, and quality of evidence presented in each item.

Think about how convincing the arguments are and scrutinize the evidence.

Is it compelling, valid, and relevant to your research aims?

Consider the book or journal article's utility in shedding light on your specific topic rather than its broader status in the discipline.

Use phrases like these when you’re evaluating:

This article's analysis of _______ is particularly helpful in understanding _______ because ____.

Whilst this paper offers valuable insights into _______ by _______, it is limited in its capacity to _______.

This study provides a useful framework for understanding _______ by _______.

The strengths of this item lie in its ability to _______ and its analysis of _______ in relation to _______.

5. Synthesis: Weaving a Cohesive Narrative

As we near the summit of our literature review journey, we encounter synthesis—the intricate weaving of literature into a cohesive narrative. This step involves considering each piece of literature in the context of all the others you've explored.

How is it positioned?

With which other items does it align or clash?

What unique perspectives or insights does it bring to the table?

By synthesizing the literature, you'll not only form connections and highlight disagreements but also create a unified narrative that contributes significantly to your research area.

Use phrases like these in your synthesis of the literature:

When compared to other relevant literature, this study's unique contribution is _______.

Whilst other studies have focused on _______, this item highlights the importance of _______.

This provides a different perspective on _______ than previous studies by _______.

Considering other relevant literature alongside this, it becomes clear that _______.

Conclusion: Supercharging Your Literature Review

In conclusion, these five tips—intentional active reading, effective description, interpretation, proper evaluation, and synthesis—are designed to supercharge your literature review. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your current approach, incorporating these strategies will undoubtedly enhance the depth and quality of your research.

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