# Dissertation literature review: how to write it (and when to make it systematic)

> What a dissertation literature review is and how to write it step by step: structure, a worked example, the theoretical framework and mistakes to avoid.

Published at https://revisia.es/en/blog/literature-review-for-a-dissertation/ · Author: Ángel González de la Flor · Date: 2026-10-12

A dissertation literature review (in science and engineering often called the *state of the art*) is the critical synthesis of what has already been researched on your topic before you add anything new. Put another way, it answers a simple but demanding question. What do we know today about this problem, and what is still unresolved? It is not a loose summary of articles but a reasoned map of the literature that justifies why your work deserves to exist. In a well-planned undergraduate thesis or master's dissertation, that map is the foundation the whole project stands on, which is why it pays to write it with a method and not at the last minute.

To write it well, the first step is to tell it apart from the theoretical framework and from related labels. The second is to follow a reproducible process. This guide covers both, along with the structure of a thesis or dissertation built on a review, the most common mistakes and a frequent question about when it makes sense to ask for methodological help without taking anything away from your own work.

## What a dissertation literature review is (vs theoretical framework and state of the art)

The literature review is the analytical, up-to-date review of the most relevant research output on a specific topic. Rather than describing everything ever published, it aims to identify trends, consensus, contradictions and, above all, the gaps your research can fill. That is why it usually ends with a sentence along the lines of "despite the extensive literature on X, no studies have addressed Y", which is exactly the gap where your research question fits.

Three related concepts get mixed up all the time, but they do not mean the same thing:

- State of the art. Focuses on the most recent and advanced work. It looks at what is being researched now, with which methods and with which results.
- Theoretical framework. Brings together the theories, models and concepts that support your work. It does not describe specific studies but the conceptual scaffolding you will use to interpret your data.
- Literature review (or "state of the question"). In many academic traditions, especially in the humanities and social sciences, this is used as a synonym for the state of the art. The difference is one of nuance and discipline more than substance.

The "state of the art or literature review" question has a practical answer. Check your university's guide or ask your supervisor, because the right label depends on your program's convention. In most cases you can use them interchangeably, as long as you stick to the same term throughout the whole document.

| Aspect | State of the art | Theoretical framework | Literature review (state of the question) |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Recent empirical studies and current advances | Theories, models and concepts | Debate and accumulated output on the topic |
| Time focus | The present and the leading edge of the field | Timeless (foundations) | Historical and current |
| Main function | Find research gaps | Give the analysis conceptual support | Place the work in the academic conversation |
| Usual disciplines | Science, engineering, health | All | Humanities and social sciences |
| Expected result | Justify the research question | Define the variables and how to interpret them | Show command of the topic |

## How to write a dissertation literature review step by step

![Structure of a dissertation literature review in five steps, from the topic to the research gap](/blog-img/en/estructura-estado-del-arte.svg)

Knowing how to write the literature review for a thesis or dissertation comes down to following an orderly, reproducible process. These are the steps:

1. **Narrow down the topic and frame your question.** The more specific it is, the easier the search. A well-structured question, for example one built with the [PICO model for defining your research question](/en/blog/pico-question/), gives you the keywords to search with straight away.
2. **Define the [search strategy](/en/blog/literature-search-strategy/).** Decide which databases you will search (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science), with which terms and with which date and language limits. Document that strategy. In serious work, someone else should be able to repeat your search and get the same results.
3. **Collect and filter the sources.** Apply clear [inclusion and exclusion criteria](/en/blog/inclusion-and-exclusion-criteria/) (years, study type, relevance) so you keep only what is relevant. This is where you discard duplicates and work that does not answer your question.
4. **Read critically and take structured notes.** Summarizing each article is not enough. Record the aim, methods, results and limitations of each study in a table or literature matrix. That matrix is what you will later turn into prose.
5. **Organize the information by theme, not by author.** The most typical mistake is going article by article ("Smith says... Jones says..."). A literature review is written in thematic blocks or lines of research, grouping the authors who are in conversation about the same idea.
6. **Write in your own voice and synthesize.** Compare, contrast and point out agreements and disagreements. Your value lies in the critical synthesis, not in piling up citations. Link each block to the next so the text has a clear thread.
7. **Close by identifying the gap.** End the literature review by pointing out what remains to be researched. That gap is the justification for your thesis or dissertation, and it leads naturally into your aims.

A good literature review example stands apart from a list of summaries because every paragraph argues one idea supported by several sources. If, after reading it, it is clear where there is agreement, where there is debate and which gap is still open, you have done it right.

<p class="blog-inline-cta">Steps 2 to 4 (search, criteria and screening) are exactly what revisia handles for you <strong>if your literature review turns into a systematic review</strong>. <a href="https://revisia.es/app/entrar?registro=1">Create your free account</a>.</p>

## Systematic review vs traditional literature review in a student thesis

Not every review is a systematic review. Be clear on the difference before you choose the method for your project, because it determines the effort and the rigor you will have to apply.

- A **traditional (or narrative) literature review** gives an overview of the topic based on a selection of sources chosen at the author's discretion. It is more flexible and faster, but also more subjective. It does not guarantee that all the relevant evidence has been found.
- A **systematic review** follows a predefined, reproducible protocol, with a structured question, a documented search strategy, explicit selection criteria and an assessment of study quality. It reduces bias and is the most demanding method.

The full comparison between the two, with a decision guide written for people who screen alone, is in [narrative review vs systematic review: which one to choose](/en/blog/systematic-review-vs-narrative-review/). To go deeper into other formats (scoping review, umbrella review, integrative review), this guide to the [types of literature reviews and which one to choose for your aim](/en/blog/types-of-literature-reviews/) will help. In academic settings, the undergraduate thesis or master's dissertation built as a systematic review is more and more common, because it lets you do solid research without collecting primary data, which is especially useful when you have no access to a sample of your own.

Can you do your thesis as a systematic review? Yes (the guide on [what a systematic review is and how to do one step by step](/en/blog/what-is-a-systematic-review/) has the full method), and in fact it is one of the best options when you have limited time and a small budget. It does take planning. A badly done systematic review (incomplete search, no criteria, no bias assessment) is just a literature review with pretensions. Before you commit, look at [how long a systematic review takes](/en/blog/how-long-does-a-systematic-review-take/) and fit the scope to your calendar.

## Structure of a thesis or dissertation built on a review

If you decide to frame your project as a review, here is a standard structure that fits most university guidelines. The literature review lives mostly in the introduction, but the methods section is what separates a systematic review from a simple compilation.

1. Introduction and literature review. Context of the problem, review of prior literature, justification and the gap you found.
2. Aims and research question. A general aim and specific aims, derived directly from the gap in the literature review.
3. Methods. The central section of a systematic review. It includes:
   - Design and protocol (ideally [registered in PROSPERO](/en/blog/prospero-registration/)).
   - Search strategy and databases searched.
   - Inclusion and exclusion criteria.
   - Screening and study selection process.
   - Risk of bias assessment.
   - [PRISMA flow diagram](/en/blog/prisma-flow-diagram/) with the count of studies at each phase.
4. Results. Synthesis of the included studies, usually with a table of characteristics and, where appropriate, a meta-analysis.
5. Discussion. Interpretation of the findings, comparison with prior literature, limitations of the work.
6. Conclusions. Answer to the aims and future lines of research.
7. References and appendices. In your program's citation style (APA, Vancouver, etc.).

The key is that the literature review (step 1) and the methods (step 3) line up. The gap you find in the literature must be exactly the one your systematic review sets out to fill.

## Worked example

Picture a nursing master's dissertation on the effect of music therapy on preoperative anxiety. A well-built passage of its literature review could start like this.

> "Several studies have evaluated non-pharmacological interventions to reduce anxiety before surgery. A number of clinical trials agree that music therapy lowers anxiety levels measured with the STAI scale (author A; author B), although other studies find no significant difference compared with standard care (author C). These discrepancies may be due to heterogeneity in the length of the intervention and in the measurement instruments. To date, no study has systematically synthesized these results in a Spanish-speaking adult population, which justifies the present review."

Why this systematic review example works for a student thesis:

- It groups studies by idea (non-pharmacological interventions), not by author.
- It shows the consensus (music therapy reduces anxiety) and the contradiction (not every study confirms it).
- It explains a possible cause of the discrepancy (heterogeneity), which shows critical reading.
- It closes with the specific gap the project is going to fill.

In four sentences it is clear what is known, what is debated and what is missing. That is the goal of any literature review, whether for an undergraduate thesis or a master's dissertation.

## Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

- **Writing by author instead of by theme.** This is the most frequent mistake. To avoid it, organize the text in thematic blocks and make them talk to each other.
- **Summarizing without synthesizing.** A string of summaries is not a literature review. Compare the studies with each other and take a position.
- **Using outdated or unreliable sources.** Prioritize peer-reviewed articles from recent years (apart from essential classics). Avoid unsupported blogs or commercial websites.
- **Not documenting the search.** If your project is a systematic review, a search that cannot be reproduced invalidates the method. Record databases, terms and filters.
- **Confusing the literature review with the theoretical framework.** Remember the table above. One maps recent studies, the other defines the conceptual scaffolding.
- **Not linking the literature review to your aims.** The gap you point out in the literature must match what your project investigates. Without that continuity, the justification falls apart.
- **Citing badly or not citing.** Every claim that is not yours needs its reference. Plagiarism, even unintentional, can fail the project.

## When to ask for methodological help

Doing a systematic review for an undergraduate thesis or master's dissertation on your own is entirely possible, especially if you follow the steps in this guide and spend time on planning. That said, there are moments when outside guidance saves weeks of work and quite a few corrections from the examiners.

It makes sense to seek help with a systematic review thesis, or a methods tutorial, if:

- You cannot make your search strategy reproducible, or you [retrieve thousands of unfiltered results](/en/blog/how-many-studies-in-a-systematic-review/).
- You are unsure whether to do a systematic review, a scoping review or a narrative review.
- You need to apply risk of bias tools or a meta-analysis and have no statistical training.
- Your supervisor has asked for more methodological rigor and you do not know where to start.

Asking for methodological guidance takes no merit away from your work. The content, the analysis and the conclusions are still yours. What expert support adds is judgment and the confidence that the method will stand up to academic review. If you decide to do it alone, lean on reference sources such as the PRISMA statement, the Cochrane Handbook or the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, and always start with a well-framed research question.

<p class="blog-inline-cta">If your thesis or dissertation is a review, in revisia <strong>you carry the full method through</strong> and get the deliverables you need to defend it. <a href="https://revisia.es/app/entrar?registro=1">Create your free account</a>.</p>

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between the literature review and the theoretical framework?

The literature review sums up what has already been researched on the topic. The theoretical framework sets out the concepts and theories you use to interpret your work.

### How many sources should a master's dissertation literature review have?

There is no fixed number. The relevance and currency of the sources matter more than the count, and so does covering the debate that matters.

### Does the literature review go at the start or the end of a master's dissertation?

It usually goes near the start, after the introduction, because it places your work within what is already known and justifies the gap you set out to fill.

### What is the literature review of an undergraduate thesis?

It is the section where you review prior research on your topic in a critical, organized way. Its job is to show that you know what has already been studied, to identify contradictions and gaps, and to justify why your thesis adds something new. It is not a summary of articles but an argued synthesis that leads to your research question.

### State of the art or literature review?

In practice they are near synonyms. "State of the art" is more common in science, engineering and health, while "literature review" is the default label in the humanities and social sciences, where you may also see "state of the question". The difference comes from disciplinary tradition more than content. What matters is to check your program's guide, pick one term and use it consistently throughout the document.

### Can I do my undergraduate thesis as a systematic review?

Yes. An undergraduate thesis or master's dissertation built as a systematic review is a valid and highly recommended option when you cannot collect primary data. It must follow the method, though, with a structured question, a documented and reproducible search, inclusion and exclusion criteria, screening, risk of bias assessment and its PRISMA flow diagram. Without those elements it would be a literature review, not a systematic one.

### How do I cite in the literature review?

Use the citation style your program requires (APA is the most common for student theses; Vancouver in the health sciences), citing every claim you take from the literature. The practical way is to insert citations while you write with a [reference manager such as Mendeley or Zotero](/en/blog/mendeley-vs-zotero/), which generates the final bibliography in the chosen format. Always cite the source you actually read and avoid second-hand citations.