A checklist to check if your literature review is correctly written or not

After writing the first draft of the literature review, use the following checklist to assess the thoroughness and quality of what you wrote. Before sending it to your supervisor, ask a critical friend to read and comment on your literature review. A well-thought-out,well-written, and an interesting review of the literature is a joy to read.

Please note that the items in this checklist comprise a generic set of “to dos” when writing a literature review for your PhD research. Not all the items are relevant for all reviews. Select only those  that fit your particular situation, and use them as a guide.     

1. The literature review is comprehensive (covers the major points of the topic.)
2. There is balanced coverage of all variables in the study.
3. The review is well organized. It flows logically. It is not fragmented.
4. The writer critically analyzes the literature rather than stringing together a series of citations.
5. There is a logical correspondence between the Introduction chapter and the Literature Review.
6. At least three-fourths of the review focuses on the variables or concepts identified in the purpose statement and research questions. The remaining one-fourth sets the stage and gives the big picture and background to the study.
7. For each variable or concept, there is some historical and cur- rent coverage; the emphasis is on current coverage.
8. The review relies on empirical research studies, not opinion articles in “ pop “ journals.
9. The review contains opposing points of view (especially if the researcher has a strong bias.)
10. There is a summary at the end of each major section as well as at the end of the chapter.
11. The bibliography contains at least 40 to 60 references.
12. The majority of references were published within the past 5 years.
13. Primary sources are used in the  majority of citations.
14. There is an appropriate amount of paraphrasing and direct quotation.
15.  The direct  quotations do not detract from the readability of the chapter.
16. Authors who make the same points are combined in the citation.
17.  The view synthesizes and integrates meaning to the litera- ture; it is not just a catalog of sources.