What Is the Ideal Length for a Literature Review in UK Dissertations?

One of the most difficult parts of academic life that students also fear is writing a dissertation, especially in the UK where academic dissertation review standards are high. In this dissertation, the literature review is the most important part of it.  It includes a thorough overview of a topic or study from multiple angles (Eaton, 2018). A well-written literature review develops the context for the research question, highlights knowledge gaps, and gives a base for the research.  It connects historical and current research (dissertationproposal, 2022).  However, a lot of students are unclear about the right length of this section and they sometimes seek dissertation writing services. Basically, there is no set length for a literature review in a UK dissertation but it varies according to the topic, the research question, and the dissertation's entire structure. We will examine the factors that determine a literature review's length and give tips to assist students in managing this important part of the dissertation.

Factors That Determine How Long Should A Literature Review Be

The following are a few factors that determine the ideal length of the literature review:

1. Discipline And Dissertation Topic

A literature reviews length can vary significantly according to the field and the area of the study. For instance, the literature review is generally longer in the humanities or social sciences because there is a huge amount of existing research. On the other hand, a dissertation literature review in a more specialized or technical field is shorter because there is a smaller amount of available literature. Another factor that determines the length of the literature review is the type of research question which means if the topic is wide then there will be required a more thorough literature review.

2. University Guidelines

Many universities in the UK give specific guidelines on the format of dissertations which also include specific recommendations for the length of each section. The literature review usually contains 20–30% of the dissertation's total length, even though these guidelines normally give a range for the word count. For instance, the literature review will be between 2,000 and 3,000 words long in a dissertation that is 10,000 words. However, students should also always consult their department's or university's specific guidelines.

3. Study Level

The study level also determines how long the literature review should be. The literature review will be between 1,500 and 2,500 words long for undergraduate dissertations. The literature review at the postgraduate or doctoral level is longer somewhat between 3,000 and 8,000 words depending on the complexity of the research question and the level of analysis it requires. The literature review of the master-level degree typically ranges in length from 15,000 to 25,000 words.

4. Scope Of Literature

The literature review will undoubtedly need to be lengthy to contain the thought scope of research if the chosen topic has a large body of literature. On the other hand, the literature review will be shorter if the topic is more specialized or limited in scope because there would be less material to cover in it. However, the literature review should not be just a list of articles but it critically engage with the relevant sources.

5. Research Design

The length of the literature review is also determined by the research design. The literature review of a dissertation includes qualitative research which focuses on more theory and conceptual frameworks, whereas a dissertation with quantitative research needs to explore methodological approaches and important studies that determine the research design. The literature review becomes longer due to the requirement of discussing methodology in it.

The Best Way To Choose The Length Of Your Literature Review

There's no specific set limit for the literature review's length. However, the following steps can assist in determining the ideal length:

1. Review The Dissertation Guidelines

Always start by reviewing the specific dissertation guidelines that your university has provided. These will help you determine the amount of the word count that should go toward the literature review. Universities always have some specific requirements, so make sure you adhere to these rules strictly.

2. Identify The Research Scope.

Your literature review can be shorter if your research is more focused. Only the most relevant research gets covered in a literature review for a dissertation that examines a very specific and limited topic. Similarly, in a broader research question, there will be a thorough examination of the literature that includes lots of research, methodologies, and conclusions which makes it a lengthier review.

3. Identify Key Themes

A literature review is a critical discussion that is structured around important themes or topics rather than just a list of articles. The length of the literature review increases with the number of themes or arguments you cover in it. To keep your review focused and succinct then you must identify the main themes and arrange them according to it.

4. Balance Scope And Depth

The literature review needs to balance both scope and depth. It is important to cover a variety of literature and thoroughly examine each source you cite. But make sure not to include every study or article that you find instead you must concentrate on the most important one that contributes to the field of your study. Make sure the review focuses only on the most relevant research by being critical and specific.

5. Seek Feedback

Ask your advisor or supervisor for feedback when you are writing. They will give advice on the right length and level of thoroughness that is required in the specific literature review. They will also advise you to concentrate on particular topics or themes in order to clarify and condense your review.

Conclusion

In this post, we have learned that there is no set length for a literature review in a UK dissertation because it varies on the discipline, research question, university guidelines, and study level. It is important to put quality above quantity in your dissertation which means that the literature review should make up 20–30% of the dissertation. Make sure that you balance scope and depth, organize your review conceptually, and critically engage with the most relevant literature. So write a literature review that supports your research and makes a significant contribution to the research world by adhering to the guidelines and making sure your approach is clear and well-focused.

Reference List 

Eaton, S.E., 2018. Educational research literature reviews: Understanding the hierarchy of sources.

DP., (2022).  How long Should a Literature Review be in a 10000 Words Dissertation. Online Available at <https://www.dissertationproposal.co.uk/guide/how-long-should-a-literature-review-be/> [Accessed on 20th April 2022]