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Literature Review Checklist

Our go-to literature review checklist, built from an examiner's view. Free to use. Instant access.

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What this checklist covers

A run through everything your literature review chapter needs to do before you hand it in, grouped into six sections and refined across 10,000+ students’ chapters:

Comprehensiveness and relevance: did you cover the right sources?
Integration and critical analysis: synthesis, not summary.
Conceptual framework: grounded in the literature you reviewed.
Clarity and focus: structure, transitions, a readable thread.
Compliance and quality control: word count, formatting, citations.
Final review: the standalone read, and your supervisor’s notes.

The checklist can be copied to your Google Drive or downloaded as a fully editable document, so you can tick items off as you go.

Frequently asked questions

Does it name examples of how to structure a lit review?

Yes, three: thematically, chronologically or methodologically. The checklist doesn’t tell you which to pick, only that your structure should be logical and easy to follow.

What counts as high-caliber literature here?

The item gives concrete signals: well-cited work, papers from quality journals, and similar markers of credibility, a prompt to check your source quality, not a ranking list.

Does it require both theory and evidence-based studies?

Yes, explicitly: the theoretical literature (concepts, models, theories) and the empirical literature (evidence-based studies and data), rather than leaning entirely on one type.

What does critical synthesis mean in this checklist?

More than summarizing: whether you’ve discussed, evaluated and compared studies, especially ones with competing findings, rather than describing each paper with no connection drawn.

Does it check that I’ve found the gap in the literature?

Yes. It asks whether you’ve clearly illustrated the specific research gap your study addresses, connected directly to your research aims and objectives.

What level of study is this checklist meant for?

It’s written for the literature review chapter at honors, master’s or doctoral level. Your own university’s assessment criteria still take priority where they differ.

What format is the checklist?

It’s a Google Doc. Make a copy to your own Drive to edit it, or download it as a fully editable file if you’d rather work offline.

Can I share this checklist with my friends/colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share it in its original format (no editing allowed). If you post about it on your blog or social media, please reference this page as your source.