What is a literature review? How is a literature review different from an academic paper?
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What is a literature review? How is a literature review different from an academic paper?

phdassistance100
phdassistance100
6 min read

Brief: 

An academic essay, paper, or thesis argues a topic using credible sources to back up the argument. 

A Literature Review is a Research, analysis, and critical commentary on those same sources. It can be an embedded introduction in your paper, or relevant parts of the review can appear in appropriate sections of the document. 

PhD Assistance gives out the differences between both the topics in this blog using Literature Review Writing Services 

Introduction to Literature Review 

A literature review examines books, academic articles, and other sources pertinent to a specific issue, area of study, or theory. It provides a description, summary, and critical evaluation of these works in relation to the research problem being investigated. PhD Dissertation Literature Review Help aims to offer an overview of the sources you have explored while researching a particular theme, demonstrating to your readers how your research fits within a larger field of study. 

In the social sciences, a literature review typically follows a conventional pattern, combining summary and synthesis within explicitly defined categories. A summary recaps the essential information from the source, while a synthesis reorganizes or reshuffles that information to illustrate how you plan to explore the research problem with the help of Dissertation Literature Review Writing Services

Purpose of Literature Review 

New Interpretations: 

Provide new interpretations of existing material or combine new insights with old understandings. 

Academic Context: 

Trace the academic progression of the field, including major debates. 

Evaluative Guidance: 

Evaluate sources and guide readers on the most relevant research. 

Identify Gaps: 

Identify gaps in the current research to highlight areas needing further investigation. 

Motivation for a Literature Review 

Contextual Placement: 

Position each work within the broader context of understanding the research problem. 

Interrelationships: 

Describe how each work relates to others being considered. 

Novel Interpretations: 

Discover new ways to interpret previous research. 

Uncover Gaps: 

Reveal any gaps in the existing literature. 

Resolve Conflicts: 

Resolve conflicts among seemingly contradictory past studies. 

Avoid Duplication: 

Identify areas of prior research to avoid duplicating efforts. 

Guide Future Research: 

Point the way towards necessary further research. 

Integration with Existing Literature: 

Integrate your research within the context of existing studies. 

Academic Paper 

An academic paper is not a social commentary, an opinion, or a blog. It begins with a thesis—the writer aims to convince readers of an idea or solution based on evidence, not personal opinion. Academic writing should provide an informed argument. To develop an informed argument, you should first determine what you know about a subject from your perspective. You can start by posing a question that will stimulate your thinking, or you can make a thesis statement. Alternatively, you can do both: pose a question and immediately suggest the answer that your paper will argue. The research process involves analysis, asking questions, and developing answers through critical thinking and reflective insight. Most research includes a survey or questionnaire asking opinions from a reasonably sized sample of relevant participants. 

Benefits 

High Credibility: 

Academic journals require authors to verify their sources through links and references. Simple opinions without factual backing are not permissible, making online academic journals highly reliable. 

Clarity: 

Academic articles discuss and outline the merits of various explanations and viewpoints, contrasting them with their own perspectives. They do not justify their opinions as the only truth but acknowledge other credible opinions and explain why they reach different conclusions. 

Evidence-Based Claims: 

Authors of academic journals must provide evidence supporting their claims by citing their sources, allowing you to verify facts and make your own conclusions. 

Research Options: 

Academic journals offer several research options, extending your scope. They allow you to explore both quantitative and qualitative research for optimal results, providing a broader range of information for thorough research. 

Case Studies: 

Academic journals include real-life case studies, which are excellent sources of in-depth information. By following these case studies, you can apply your knowledge to real situations, enhancing your understanding of concepts and ideas. 

Conclusion 

It is easy to lose focus due to the abundance of available information for Dissertation Help Literature Review. A lack of precision on the central topic blurs the review's purpose, leading to unsatisfactory results. Maintaining a clear focus and purpose is essential for an effective literature review, as emphasized by PhD Assistance in this blog on literature review writing. 

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