A Guide to Writing a Literature Review
A guide for GCU students on moving from summary to critical synthesis.
Get Literature Review HelpFrom Summary to Scholarly Synthesis
My first literature review was just a long annotated bibliography. I summarized Article A, then Article B, then C. I got a B- with the note: “This is a summary, not a synthesis. Where is your argument?” This highlights the central challenge of graduate writing. Your GCU professors aren’t asking what authors wrote; they’re asking so what?
A literature review is a scholarly paper that presents a critical synthesis of existing research. It’s an argument using other studies as evidence. Its purpose is to show what is known, what is not known (the “research gap”), and where your research fits. This guide is for GCU students mastering this essential skill. We’ll break down the process, helping you move from a “laundry list” of summaries to a powerful synthesis. This is a core competency and a specialty of our custom literature review writing team.
The Purpose of a Literature Review
To write one, you must understand its purpose. A literature review proves you are a “scholar-in-training.” It accomplishes three goals:
1. Demonstrate Expertise
By citing foundational and current research, you show you have engaged with key works in your field and are joining the scholarly conversation.
2. Identify the “Research Gap”
This is the most critical function. A review highlights what is not known. This “gap” justifies your research (e.g., “While research exists on X, little is known about Y…”).
3. Establish a Theoretical Framework
The review identifies key theories for your topic. This framework becomes the lens for your analysis, a key part of the dissertation and thesis process.
Annotated Bibliography vs. Literature Review
GCU students often confuse annotated bibliographies and literature reviews. They are not the same.
| Feature | Annotated Bibliography | Literature Review |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To describe and evaluate individual sources. | To build a new argument using existing sources. |
| Structure | A list of citations, each followed by a summary paragraph. | A standard essay (Intro, Body, Conclusion). |
| Organization | Alphabetical by author. | Thematic (organized by idea or argument). |
| Main “Voice” | The voice of the original authors (you are summarizing). | Your voice (you are the author, using sources as evidence). |
An annotated bibliography is a list of summaries. A literature review is a thematic, argumentative essay. A 2024 article on methods for systematic reviews explores the critical analysis required.
A 5-Step Literature Review Process
A literature review is a research project. Follow these steps.
1. Define Your Question
Start with a focused research question. “Leadership” is too broad. “How does servant leadership affect nurse retention in acute care settings?” is manageable.
2. Develop a Search Strategy
Use GCU Library databases (LopeSearch, ProQuest) for peer-reviewed articles. Use keyword combinations. A 2024 article from Nature discusses how AI is changing literature searches, but core skills remain vital.
3. Create a Synthesis Matrix
Don’t just highlight. Create an Excel Synthesis Matrix. This is your most powerful tool. Make columns for “Author,” “Year,” “Finding,” “Methodology,” “Limitations,” and “Relevance.” Fill this out as you read.
4. Identify Themes
Look at your matrix for patterns. Organize your paper by themes, not by author (e.g., “Theme 1: Impact of Burnout,” “Theme 2: Role of Management Support”).
5. Outline and Write
Create an outline based on your themes. Each theme becomes a body section. Write the paper using your matrix, pulling evidence from multiple authors to support each theme.
Key Skill: Summary vs. Synthesis
This concept separates B-level from A-level work. Professors want synthesis.
Summary (Weak): “Smith (2024) found nurse burnout was high. Jones (2023) also found burnout was a problem. Baker (2022) studied…” This is a “laundry list.”
Synthesis (Strong): “Nurse burnout is a dominant theme in recent literature (Smith, 2024; Jones, 2023). This issue is linked to systemic factors like high patient-to-nurse ratios (Baker, 2022) and lack of autonomy (Smith, 2024). However, a key gap exists…”
The strong example uses your voice to make a claim, using authors as evidence in parentheses. This is the goal.
Literature Review Structure
Your review needs a clear structure.
- Introduction: Grabs the reader. Defines the topic and importance. Ends with a clear thesis statement that identifies the research gap and outlines your themes.
- Body Paragraphs (Organized by Theme): Each section focuses on one theme, not one author. Use APA headings to organize.
- Conclusion: Summarizes main findings. Restates the “research gap.” Transitions to your own study by explaining how it will address this gap.
For help, see our academic writing help.
GCU-Specific Considerations
CLC and Christian Worldview Integration
Many GCU assignments require connecting your review to the Christian Worldview (CWV). A “Distinguished” integration is thoughtful. For example, when reviewing poverty, connect findings to CWV principles of social justice, stewardship, and human dignity. This shows deeper connection of course concepts.
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What GCU Students Say
“My literature review was just a list of summaries. My writer took my articles and re-wrote the paper into a real, A-grade synthesis that identified a clear research gap. I was blown away.”
– Amanda G., PhD Candidate
“I had no idea how to even start my lit review. The expert I worked with helped me brainstorm my themes and create an outline. It made the writing process so much easier.”
– David K., GCU Student
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Literature Review FAQs
What is “synthesis”?
Synthesis is combining ideas from multiple sources to create a new, coherent argument. Instead of summarizing (Author A said… Author B said…), you write in your own voice, using citations as evidence for a theme (e.g., “The literature shows a clear trend of… (Author A, 2024; Author B, 2023)).”
How many sources do I need?
Check your GCU rubric! It will almost always tell you the minimum. As a general rule: undergraduate papers often require 5-10 sources, master’s-level papers 15-25, and doctoral proposals 50-100+.
How old can my sources be?
Most GCU rubrics specify sources from the last 5-7 years. You can use older “foundational” or “seminal” articles (like a key theorist) but the majority of your review must be current to show you are analyzing the latest research.
What is a “research gap”?
The gap is the “missing piece” in the research. It’s the question the literature hasn’t answered. Your dissertation is designed to fill this gap. You find it by identifying themes and then noticing what is not being discussed.
How do I organize my lit review?
Organize it by theme, not by author. Create headings for the major topics, trends, or arguments you found. This creates a logical flow and proves you have synthesized the material.
What is a “theoretical framework”?
This is the established theory (or theories) you use as a “lens” to understand your topic. For example, you might use “Servant Leadership” as a framework to analyze employee motivation. Your lit review must define this framework.
Master Your Literature Review
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