Dissertation & Thesis Examples
Literature Review Example
A detailed walkthrough + free literature review template
If you’re working on a dissertation or thesis and are looking for an example of a strong literature review chapter, you’ve come to the right place.
In this video, we walk you through an A-grade literature review from a dissertation that earned full distinction. We start off by discussing the five core sections of a literature review chapter by unpacking our free literature review template. This includes:
- The literature review opening/introduction section
- The theoretical framework (or foundation of theory)
- The empirical research
- The research gap
- The closing section
We then progress to the sample literature review (from an A-grade Master’s-level dissertation) to show how these concepts are applied in the literature review chapter. You can access the free resources mentioned in this video below.
PS – If you’re working on a dissertation, be sure to also check out our collection of dissertation and thesis examples here.
Frequently asked questions
Is the sample literature review real?
Yes. The literature review example is an extract from a Master’s-level dissertation for an MBA program. It has not been edited in any way.
Can I replicate this literature review for my dissertation?
As we discuss in the video, every literature review will be slightly different, depending on the university’s unique requirements, as well as the nature of the research itself. Therefore, you’ll need to tailor your literature review to suit your specific context.
You can learn more about the basics of writing a literature review here.
Where can I find more examples of literature reviews?
The best place to find more examples of literature review chapters would be within dissertation/thesis databases. These databases include dissertations, theses and research projects that have successfully passed the assessment criteria for the respective university, meaning that you have at least some sort of quality assurance.
The Open Access Thesis Database (OATD) is a good starting point.
How do I get the literature review template?
You can access our free literature review chapter template here.
Is the template really free?
Yes. There is no cost for the template and you are free to use it as you wish.