Literature review writing challenges PhD and DBA scholars when turning research reading into clear, structured academic writing.
Introduction
Literature review writing is one of the most important and demanding stages of academic research. For many PhD and DBA scholars, the difficulty does not come from reading journal articles or collecting sources. The real challenge begins when researchers attempt to transform reading into structured academic writing.
At the beginning, the process feels productive. You search databases, download articles, highlight key ideas, and take notes. However, when it is time to write, progress slows dramatically. Paragraphs feel disconnected. Arguments feel repetitive. You begin to question whether your literature review is “good enough.”
This experience is extremely common among doctoral and postgraduate researchers worldwide. Importantly, it does not indicate poor academic ability. In most cases, the real issue is the absence of a clear literature review writing process and a step-by-step structure.
This guide explains how to write a literature review step by step using simple language, strong academic logic, and practical examples. If you are asking “How do I actually write my literature review?”, this article will give you clarity, control, and confidence.
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Table of Contents
- Why Literature Review Writing Feels Difficult
- Stage 1: Define the Purpose and Scope of the Literature Review
- Stage 2: Search and Select Relevant Literature Systematically
- Stage 3: Analyze and Synthesize Literature Critically
- Stage 4: Structure and Write the Literature Review Clearly
- Common Literature Review Mistakes
- Free Literature Review Checklist (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Literature Review Writing Feels Difficult
Literature review writing is challenging because it requires multiple academic skills at the same time. You must read critically, evaluate theories, compare findings, identify gaps, and present a logical academic argument.
Many researchers mistakenly treat the literature review as extended reading rather than analytical writing. As a result, they collect too many sources without a clear plan for organization or synthesis. Writing then feels risky because it becomes unclear what to include, what to exclude, and how ideas should connect.
Without structure, uncertainty increases. Progress slows. Confidence drops.
Once researchers understand that the difficulty lies in method rather than ability, the literature review becomes far more manageable.
Stage 1: Define the Purpose and Scope of the Literature Review
A strong literature review always begins with clarity of purpose. Your literature review exists to support your research problem and justify why your study is necessary. It does not exist to summarize everything written on a topic.
Many PhD and DBA scholars struggle at this stage because they begin reading without setting boundaries. Without scope, literature searching becomes endless and unfocused.
At this stage, you should clearly:
- Restate your research problem
- Identify key concepts and variables
- Define boundaries such as time period, context, industry, or discipline
Example:
If your research examines employee motivation in remote work environments, your literature review should focus on motivation theories, remote work contexts, and performance outcomes. Studies on unrelated leadership styles should only be included if they directly inform motivation in remote settings.
A clearly defined scope:
- Reduces information overload
- Improves relevance
- Guides all later stages of literature review writing
This stage gives your literature review direction and control.
Stage 2: Search and Select Relevant Literature Systematically
Once the scope is defined, literature searching becomes strategic rather than overwhelming. Effective literature review writing depends on systematic searching, not continuous browsing.
Many researchers feel overwhelmed because they download articles without evaluating relevance early. This leads to unnecessary reading, confusion, and wasted time.
A strong systematic search includes:
- Using peer-reviewed academic databases
- Applying focused keywords and Boolean operators
- Prioritizing relevance over quantity
- Reading abstracts before downloading full papers
Example:
Instead of broad searches, use focused combinations such as:
employee motivation AND remote work AND job performance
Only download studies that clearly align with your research variables and context.
This approach:
- Saves time
- Improves literature quality
- Prevents cognitive overload
Systematic searching is a powerful foundation for strong literature review writing.
Stage 3: Analyze and Synthesize Literature Critically
This stage is the core of doctoral-level literature review writing. Synthesis moves beyond summarizing individual studies and instead examines relationships across the literature.
Many researchers stall here because summarizing feels safer than synthesizing. However, examiners expect comparison, interpretation, and critical evaluation.
Effective synthesis involves:
- Identifying patterns and themes
- Comparing theoretical perspectives
- Highlighting debates and contradictions
- Evaluating methodological strengths and weaknesses
Example:
Rather than discussing each article separately, group findings:
Several studies identify autonomy as a key driver of motivation in remote work environments. While some researchers emphasize self-determination theory, others highlight technological support as a moderating factor influencing motivational outcomes.
This approach demonstrates:
- Critical thinking
- Scholarly maturity
- Strong academic judgment
Synthesis transforms reading into academic argument.
Stage 4: Structure and Write the Literature Review Clearly
Once synthesis is complete, writing becomes significantly easier. A clear literature review structure allows readers and examiners to follow your argument logically.
Common organizational approaches include:
- Thematic structure (grouping studies by concept or theme)
- Methodological structure (grouping by research design)
- Theoretical structure (grouping by framework or model)
Your choice should depend on what best supports your research problem.
Example (Thematic Structure):
- Motivation theories in remote work
- Digital tools and employee engagement
- Managerial challenges in virtual teams
Each section should:
- Build logically on the previous one
- Clearly link back to the research problem
- Highlight gaps your study aims to address
A strong structure gives your literature review flow, clarity, and authority.
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Common Literature Review Mistakes
Several recurring mistakes slow progress:
- Over-summarizing individual studies
- Weak thematic organization
- Poor alignment with research objectives
- Ignoring contradictions in the literature
These mistakes usually occur when planning is skipped. Following a step-by-step method reduces these risks.
Free Literature Review Checklist (PDF Download)
To support your writing process, download a free Literature Review Writing Checklist used by doctoral researchers.
Free Download:
Literature Review Writing Checklist (PDF)
🔗 Download PDF
This checklist helps you:
- Maintain structure
- Avoid common mistakes
- Ensure alignment with your research problem
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a literature review be?
Length depends on institutional guidelines. Clarity, synthesis, and relevance matter more than word count.
How many sources are enough?
Quality is more important than quantity. Focus on peer-reviewed sources that directly support your research.
What is the biggest literature review mistake?
Summarizing studies instead of synthesizing and comparing them critically.
External Learning Resources
The following resources provide additional academic guidance on literature review writing and research synthesis:
- Scribbr – How to Write a Literature Review
https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/literature-review/
(Clear explanations of literature review purpose, structure, and examples) - Paré et al. – Literature Review Methods (NCBI Bookshelf)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK481583/
(Highly cited academic source explaining narrative, systematic, and scoping reviews) - ScienceDirect – Systematic Literature Review Methodology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2022.101895
(Peer-reviewed methodological guidance on literature review processes)
Internal Learning Resources – DBA Coach
For deeper guidance and expert support on literature review writing, explore these DBA Coach resources:
- Literature Review Guide for PhD and DBA Scholars
https://www.dbacoach.com/literature-review-guide - Common Literature Review Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
https://www.dbacoach.com/literature-review-mistakes - How to Find a Research Gap in a Literature Review
https://www.dbacoach.com/research-gap-literature-review - Literature Review Support Services for PhD and DBA Researchers
https://www.dbacoach.com/literature-review-support
Conclusion
Literature review writing does not need to feel confusing or overwhelming. When approached without structure, it becomes difficult and frustrating. When approached with a clear step-by-step method, it becomes manageable and purposeful.
By defining scope, searching systematically, synthesizing critically, and writing with structure, your literature review transforms from scattered notes into a strong academic argument.
A well-written literature review demonstrates scholarly readiness, critical thinking, and research confidence. These qualities signal to supervisors and examiners that you are prepared for doctoral-level research.