Literature Review Framework

I. Introduction
A. Topic Introduction
 Provide a succinct overview of the main topic to establish context.
 Explain the relevance and timeliness of the topic in current academic and practical landscapes.
B. Statement of the Problem
 Define the problem that the literature review addresses.
 Highlight the implications of the problem and justify the need for the review.
 Link the problem statement to the scope and objectives of the literature review.
C. Objectives of the Literature Review
 Clearly articulate what the review aims to discover or elucidate.
 Examples might include exploring relationships, identifying gaps, or evaluating existing theories.
D. Scope of the Review
 Specify the boundaries of the review, such as the time period, geographic focus, and subtopics
included.
II. Methodology
A. Literature Search
 Detail the databases and other sources used to collect literature (e.g., Web of Science, PubMed).
 Describe the keywords, search terms, and any filters applied (e.g., language, publication type).
B. Selection Criteria
 Outline inclusion and exclusion criteria (e.g., only peer-reviewed articles, specific study designs).
 Explain the selection process, including the number of sources screened and the criteria for final
inclusion.
III. Synthesis of Literature
A. Thematic Organization
 Organize the selected literature into coherent themes or categories that align with the review’s
objectives.
 Discuss each theme, focusing on the chronology, methodologies, or conceptual advancements.
B. Summary and Analysis
 Summarize key findings relevant to each theme.
 Analyze the contributions, comparing and contrasting significant studies and discussing their
implications.
C. Critical Evaluation
 Assess the strengths and limitations of the literature.
 Evaluate the methodologies used and the robustness of the findings and conclusions.
IV. Discussion
A. Integration of Findings
 Synthesize the findings to present a comprehensive view of the field.
 Highlight significant trends, agreements, contradictions, and particularly notable gaps in the
literature.
B. Theoretical and Practical Implications
 Discuss the theoretical frameworks that underpin the field and how the findings affect these
theories.
 Suggest practical applications and implications of the findings, if applicable.
 C. Recommendations for Future Research
 Based on identified gaps, recommend areas for further investigation.
 Suggest methodologies, populations, or particular aspects that future research should focus on.
V. Conclusion
A. Recapitulation
 Briefly summarize the key points and main findings from the literature review.
 Restate the significance of the findings in relation to the original problem statement.
B. Concluding Thoughts
 Reflect on the state of the field as reviewed.
 Offer insights into potential developments or future directions in research.
VI. References
A. Bibliography
 List all sources cited in the literature review using the appropriate academic style guide (APA,
MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Key Considerations
 Comprehensive and Focused: Ensure that the review is both comprehensive in covering all relevant
literature and focused directly on addressing the stated problem.
 Critical and Objective: Maintain a critical and objective tone throughout the review, evaluating
sources based on their methodology, findings, and contributions to the field.
 Structured and Coherent: Use a logical structure to guide the reader through the review, with clear
transitions between sections and a strong narrative thread linking all components.