If you are a budding researcher, the foremost challenge that stands before you is the identification of a remarkable and novel research topic in your field of study. One of the crucial aspects of this academic expedition is the literature review, where researchers look into existing knowledge to identify research gaps and contribute to their field. A literature review is a study of scholarly sources in a particular research area. The literature review provides knowledge about the current scenario. This allows you to find the appropriate methods, theories, and research gaps in the existing research works. It is a process of analyzing and evaluating the research work to get a better understanding of your topic. In this article, I have explained the clear step by steps for how to write a literature review.

Also, I have noticed some scholars found a noteworthy research problem, while many struggle to identify an interesting research problem. Identification of a novel research problem is the first and most vital step to start research work. I have already explained the procedure to identify the research gap at has published an article on “How to identify research gap”, wherein the tips for identifying a gap in research are also explained. In this article, the different types of research gaps in the literature review are presented with various resources available to PhD researchers, focusing particularly on the extensive landscape of literature review.

Initially, scholars need to understand the difference between a research gap and a research problem.

“A research gap is a key problem or a question that has not been answered by any of the existing studies within your area of research.”

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“A research problem is a constructed statement which is developed from a research gap and it should clearly describe the novelty of your study.”

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Ten Effective Tips to Conduct a Systematic Literature Review

In the first section I have listed the simple and clear ten-step guide to help you conduct a thorough and systematic literature review.

1. Define Your Research Topic Clearly

• Before starting your review, be clear about what you want to study.
• Write down your research question in simple terms.
• Make sure it is specific, focused, and researchable.
• A well-defined topic will help you find the most relevant literature.
• Avoid broad or vague topics that may confuse your direction.

2. Set Objectives for the Literature Review

• Decide what you want to achieve through the review.
• Are you identifying research gaps, comparing methods, or understanding trends?
• Clear objectives help you stay focused throughout the process.
• Write down your goals to guide your search and analysis.
• This step also helps in writing the review later.

3. Choose the Right Databases and Sources

• Use academic databases like Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, or Google Scholar.
• Also, look at high-quality journals, conference papers, and theses.
• Don’t rely on just one source—combine multiple platforms.
• Use institutional access if available to get full-text articles.
• Choose sources that are peer-reviewed and reliable.

4. Develop Search Strategies and Keywords

• Use keywords related to your topic and its synonyms.
• Combine keywords using Boolean operators like AND, OR, and NOT.
• Create different search strings to explore all possible studies.
• Test your keywords in databases to check their effectiveness.
• Keep track of which combinations give you the best results.

5. Apply Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

• Decide what kind of studies you want to include or reject.
• Set filters based on language, publication year, region, or study type.
• Exclude low-quality or irrelevant papers to save time.
• Be consistent in applying these criteria to all your results.
• Document your criteria for transparency and reproducibility.

6. Screen and Select Relevant Studies

• First, read titles and abstracts to shortlist relevant papers.
• Then, review the full text to ensure they fit your research scope.
• Use reference management tools like Zotero or Mendeley to organize them.
• Tag or label studies by themes or topics for easy sorting.
• Make a table or spreadsheet to track selected papers.

7. Extract Key Information from Each Study

• Create a summary table with important details from each article.
• Include authors, year, methodology, findings, and limitations.
• This helps in comparing and analyzing the studies effectively.
• Highlight unique points or patterns as you read.
• Be careful to note both similarities and differences between studies.

8. Analyze and Synthesize the Literature

• Group similar studies to identify common themes or trends.
• Discuss what the literature says as a whole, not just one by one.
• Compare methods, results, and theories across studies.
• Point out gaps, contradictions, and areas needing more research.
• This step builds the foundation for your own research.

9. Organize the Review Logically

• Structure your review with clear headings and flow.
• Use thematic, chronological, or methodological organization.
• Start with an introduction and end with a summary and gaps.
• Ensure a smooth transition between paragraphs and sections.
• Make your review easy to follow and professional.

10. Write and Revise the Review

• Write in a formal and clear academic tone.
• Use simple, short sentences to make your points clear.
• Check for grammar, spelling, and citation errors.
• Ask peers or mentors to review your draft for feedback.
• Revise your work to make it concise, coherent, and insightful.

A well-conducted literature review is the backbone of any strong research project. By following these ten simple steps, researchers can create a structured, focused, and meaningful review. It not only highlights what is already known but also shows where your research fits in. Take your time with each step, and stay organized throughout the process. A systematic review not only builds your confidence but also strengthens the quality of your research work.

How to Write a Literature Review for a Research Paper

In this second section, I have briefly explained the 5 Easy steps to write a literature review for a research paper based on my research journey.

Step One: Be clear on your Areas of Research

Before you getting started to do the review, you need to be clear on your research topics and keywords. Make sure that you only get scholarly articles and books in those areas.

Step Two: Search for the literature

Select the most relevant papers through the literature search. Conduct a wide-ranging bibliographic search of books and articles in your area.

Read the abstracts online and download and print those articles that pertain to your area of research.

Step Three: Read and identify the gaps

Read the literature one by one and summarizeIdentify the research gaps and research opportunities from the literature.

Step Four: Organize the structure of the review

Organize the literature review using the familiar structures for a better flow of reading. The structure can follow Chronological, Thematic, Methodological, or Theoretical order.

Step Five: Begin to Write a Literature Review

Start to write the literature by discussing the overall implications of the literature. Also, make suggestions for future research based on the gaps you have identified.

Ensure the writing style is a clear and concise academic style.

Different Types of Research Gaps in the Literature Review

When you Write a literature review, it is important that you should know the mail types of Research gaps in Literature review to make it more effective and impactful. In this section, I have listed the different types of research gaps in literature review.

According to Robinson, Saldanhea & McKoy (2011), Muller-Bloch, & Kranz (2015), and Miles (2017), the research gap has been classified into seven categories.

Evidence gap: Little or no evidence to address the research problem.

Knowledge gap: Knowledge may not exist in the actual field. It might be the case that the result of a study differs from what was expected.

Practical-Knowledge gap: When professional behavior or practices deviate from research findings or are not covered by the research.

Methodology gap: A distinction in research methods is needed to have new insights or to avoid ambiguous findings.

Empirical gap: Research findings need to be evaluated or empirically verified.

Theoretical gap: Theory should be applied to certain research issues to generate new insights; lack of theoretical knowledge may lead to a gap in research.

Population gap: Type of research gap that deals with a population which is not adequately represented or under-researched in the prior research (Eg., Gender, age, race).

Useful Resources for PhD Literature Review

I have personally experienced and some of the tools and website that will much helpful for researchers to write litterateur review for research paper. I have listed various resources available to PhD researchers, focusing particularly on the extensive landscape of literature review.

1. Academic Databases

Dive into databases such as PubMed, IEEE Xplore, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. These repositories house many scholarly articles, conference papers, and journals across disciplines.

2. Libraries and Archives

Local and university libraries offer a treasure trove of physical and digital resources. Explore rare manuscripts, books, and archived materials that may not be available online.

3. Interlibrary Loan Services

If your institution lacks specific resources, utilize interlibrary loan services. This allows you to request materials from other libraries, broadening your access to relevant literature.

4. Digital Repositories

Institutional repositories, like those hosted by universities, often contain theses, dissertations, and research papers. These can provide valuable insights and serve as references for structuring your work.

5. Reference Management Tools

Employ tools such as Zotero, EndNote, or Mendeley to organize and cite your sources efficiently. These tools streamline the citation process, making it easier to manage a large volume of literature.

6. Research Networks and Academic Social Media

Engage with platforms like ResearchGate and Academia.edu. These networks connect researchers globally, providing opportunities to access preprints, and drafts, and engage in scholarly discussions.

7. Conferences and Workshops

Attend academic conferences and workshops relevant to your field. Besides gaining insights from presentations, networking can lead to valuable recommendations for literature and potential collaborators.

8. Expert Consultations

Reach out to experts in your field for guidance. Professors, mentors, and professionals often have a wealth of knowledge and can recommend key resources or point you in the right direction.

9. Government Reports and Official Publications

Government agencies and international organizations publish reports on various topics. These documents can offer unique perspectives and data that may not be found in traditional academic literature.

10. News Articles and Popular Media

While scholarly articles form the foundation, don’t overlook the insights provided by news articles and popular media. These sources can offer real-world context and applications of academic research.

11. Data Repositories

Access data repositories relevant to your research. Platforms like Data.gov or Dryad provide datasets that can complement your literature review and contribute to empirical research.

PubMed, IEEE Xplore, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar	Resources
1. Academic Databases	PubMed, IEEE Xplore, JSTOR, Sciencedirect, Google Scholar
2. Libraries and Archives	Local and university libraries (physical and digital resources)
3. Interlibrary Loan Services	Interlibrary loan services from other libraries
4. Digital Repositories	Institutional repositories hosted by universities
5. Reference Management Tools	Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley
6. Research Networks and Academic Social Media	ResearchGate, Academia.edu
7. Conferences and Workshops	Academic conferences and workshops relevant to the field
8. Expert Consultations	Reach out to professors, mentors, and professionals in the field
9. Government Reports and Official Publications	Government agencies and international organizations reports
10. News Articles and Popular Media	Insights from news articles and popular media
11. Data Repositories	Data repositories like Data.gov, Dryad

Useful Resources for PhD Literature Review

Academic Databases

• Web of Science
• JSTOR
• Google Scholar
• Scopus
• PubMed Central

Reference Management Tools

• Zotero
• Mendeley
• EndNote
• RefWorks
• EndNote Online

Literature Review Software

• Rayyan
• Covidence
• DistillerSR
• EPPI-Reviewer
• NVIVO

Online Research Platforms

• ResearchGate
• Academia.edu
• SSRN
• arXiv.org
• ScienceDirect

Advanced Search Techniques

• Boolean operators
• Citation tracking
• Backward and forward citation searches
• Systematic search strategies
• Keyword optimization

Recommended Reading

• “Doing a Literature Review” by Chris Hart
• “Research Design” by John W. Creswell
• “Literature Review in Research” by Michael Grbich

Free Training Resources

• Coursera Literature Review Courses
• YouTube Academic Research Tutorials
• University Library Webinars
• British Library Research Guides
• Open Access Research Methodology Workshops

In the vast sea of information, navigating resources for a literature review requires a strategic approach. Researchers can ensure a comprehensive and well-informed foundation for their PhD journey by combining traditional academic databases with emerging tools and platforms. Embrace the diversity of resources available, and let them guide you toward a thorough understanding of your research landscape. I this article makes you understand the different types of research gaps in the literature review, Ten Effective Tips to Conduct a Systematic Literature Review, and how to write a literature in a easy. If you have any doubt, kindly comment to this article.

Thank you. Happy Researching.

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