how to conclude literature review

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How to Conclude a Literature Review

By Laura Brown on 6th March 2019

The conclusion of the dissertation literature review focuses on a few critical points,

• Highlight the essential parts of the existing body of literature in a concise way.
• Next, you should analyse the current state of the reviewed literature .
• Explain the research gap for your chosen topic/existing knowledge.
• Now, outline the areas for future study by mentioning main agreements and disagreements in the literature.
• Finally, link the research to existing knowledge .

Now, any of you who have been into research would agree that literature review is a very exhausting process and may stress you during your academic career. It is tougher because it requires you to be organised. We have seen many students asking does a literature review need a conclusion.

Well, the answer is simple, a good literature review will always have a proper ending. But there is nothing to worry about how to write a conclusion for a literature review. Here is a complete guide for you in “four” simple yet convenient steps. These steps can really be valuable in providing an excellent presentation to your literature review help . Furthermore, you can ask us for literature review conclusion examples anytime using our live chat or email option.

Now, without further ado, let’s move towards the steps.

How To Write A Literature Review Conclusion

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Here are four major steps which can help you with how to conclude a literature review with ease.

1. Enlist Key Points

The conclusion can also be said as judgement because it gives a clear view of your work, whether you achieved your targeted objectives or not. Typically, it is not too difficult to conclude a review, but it can be challenging as well if not carried out properly.

It is crucial to find key features which should be engaging and useful as well for a reader. So at first, draft or enlist key factors before moving forward towards initialising your summary.

2. Summarise The Key Features Briefly

This is a most sensitive and important step of a dissertation literature review conclusion, where you should stick to the following things to get the job done efficiently.

• Once you are done drafting the important points , here you should mention them briefly.
• You can also take the liberty to agree or disagree with whatever literature you have gone through.
• Make sure you don’t drag your arguments while counter-arguing. Keeping your points specific is key.
• Describe, in one to two lines, how you addressed the previously identified gap .
• It is also important to point out the lapses you have noticed in previous authors’ work. Those lapses could be a misquotation of figures, a wrong pattern of research and so on.
• Alongside this, discuss existing theories and methods to build a framework for your research.

3. Educational Implications Of The Reviewed Literature

After mentioning the key factors, it is suggested to put implications to the already reviewed research. Like, as identifying problems in the already done research and giving recommendations on how these problems can be resolved.

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4. Indicating Room For Future Research

After completing the whole analysis of the particular research, you will be capable of identifying the work which can be done in future. You can also leave some gaps for future researchers so others can extend your work. This will be the final step, and this is how to end a literature review.

Tips That Can Enlighten Your Conclusion

We hope that things are very clear to you on how to write a conclusion for a literature review. If you want it to be even better and more meaningful, then you should keep the below points in mind.

• It should not be burdened with an unnecessary chain of details.
• It should be as precise and easy to understand as possible.
• You should mention important key points and findings .
• Make sure to put all points in a flow so the reader can understand your research in one go.
• Do not add anything from your own.

“Simply put, touch the prominent factors and leave them unexplained here”.

Get Help to Conclude Your Literature Review

If you are able to keep your focus around these steps and mentioned points, believe us, you will never ask anyone how to conclude literature review.

Looking At Literature Review Conclusion Example

Below are three examples which will help you understand how to conclude a literature review.

1. Firstly, you should summarise the important aspects and evaluate the current state of the existing literature.

Overall, the findings from this literature review highlight the need for further research to address the gaps in knowledge on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in college students.

2. Now, along with mentioning the gaps, come up with your approach to future study.

Therefore, to address this gap in the literature, we incorporated larger and more diverse samples, used standardised measures of mindfulness and mental health outcomes, and included longer follow-up periods to assess the long-term effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety and depression.

3. Now summarise on how your findings will contribute to the particular field by linking it to the existing knowledge.

The findings from the study will provide important insights for researchers, clinicians, and educators interested in developing and implementing effective interventions to promote mental health and well-being among college students, and highlight the need for further research to establish the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in this population.

We hope that these examples will bring in more clarification and you can have a better idea about the literature review conclusion.

What basically is a literature review?

What are the 3 primary parts of a literature review, what are the goals of writing a literature review.

There are four primary objectives of writing a literature review:

1. Determining the background from the previous scholarly literature related to the topic.

2. Identifying the gaps between literature to boost further research.

3. Analysing if the theory is applicable and associating a suitable methodology.

Why is a literature review conclusion necessary?

• https://azhin.org/cummings/basiclitreview/conclusions
• https://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/write/writing-well/litreview.html
• https://psychology.ucsd.edu/undergraduate-program/undergraduate-resources/academic-writing-resources/writing-research-papers/writing-lit-review.html
• https://students.unimelb.edu.au/academic-skills/resources/report-writing/reviewing-the-literature

Laura Brown, a senior content writer who writes actionable blogs at Crowd Writer.

The Guide to Literature Reviews

• What is a Literature Review?
• The Purpose of Literature Reviews
• Guidelines for Writing a Literature Review
• How to Organize a Literature Review?
• Software for Literature Reviews
• Using Artificial Intelligence for Literature Reviews
• How to Conduct a Literature Review?
• Common Mistakes and Pitfalls in a Literature Review
• Methods for Literature Reviews
• What is a Systematic Literature Review?
• What is a Narrative Literature Review?
• What is a Descriptive Literature Review?
• What is a Scoping Literature Review?
• What is a Realist Literature Review?
• What is a Critical Literature Review?
• Meta Analysis vs. Literature Review
• What is an Umbrella Literature Review?
• Differences Between Annotated Bibliographies and Literature Reviews
• Literature Review vs. Theoretical Framework
• How to Write a Literature Review?
• How to Structure a Literature Review?
• How to Make a Cover Page for a Literature Review?
• How to Write an Abstract for a Literature Review?
• How to Write a Literature Review Introduction?
• How to Write the Body of a Literature Review?

How to Write the Conclusion of a Literature Review?

How to write a literature review conclusion, important reminders when writing a conclusion.

• How to Make a Literature Review Bibliography?
• How to Format a Literature Review?
• How Long Should a Literature Review Be?
• Examples of Literature Reviews
• How to Present a Literature Review?
• How to Publish a Literature Review?

Writing an effective conclusion for a literature review is a vital aspect of academic writing. It summarizes the key points and insights gained from analyzing literature review articles. An effective conclusion synthesizes existing knowledge and highlights the critical analysis of key concepts and theories. A good literature review conclusion ties together the findings from the research journey. It identifies gaps in the literature and suggests how further research can address important unanswered questions. This section demonstrates how the reviewed literature contributes to the broader context of the research area. In the social sciences, a strong conclusion emphasizes the importance of the research. It provides new insights and situates the findings within existing theories. This approach shows the relevance of the study and its implications for further research.

An effective conclusion also evaluates the current state of research. It reflects on the source material, offering a summary that connects key terms and ideas. This part of the literature review, found in the literature review section, not only reviews existing studies but also advances academic knowledge by proposing new areas for inquiry and exploration.

For example, in a few sentences, a literature review conclusion might summarize key points, highlight new ideas, and identify gaps in existing research. An introductory paragraph and a strong conclusion provide a comprehensive overview and set the stage for future directions in the field. Writing a good literature review involves crafting a conclusion that encapsulates the critical analysis and key concepts discussed, bringing the review to a thoughtful and informative close.

There are important aspects that conclusions need to have to be useful and close a literature review successfully. Use clear and concise language to convey key messages. Avoid ambiguity and vagueness in your conclusion. Focus on the significance and impact of the research, and highlight the key findings and implications of the literature review. Here are some important steps you can take when writing a literature review conclusion:

Summarize key findings . Briefly summarize the most important findings from your literature review. Highlight the major themes, patterns, and trends that emerged from the literature. This summary should encapsulate the core ideas without introducing new information.

Highlight research gaps . Identifying gaps in the existing literature is a crucial aspect of the conclusion. Point out areas that have not been thoroughly explored and clearly explain why it is important to address these unanswered questions. This helps establish the relevance and necessity of further investigation in your field of study.

Review your research question and objectives . Restate your research question and objectives in a concise and clear way, using different words than in the introduction. Briefly summarize the main themes or categories that you have discussed in the body of your literature review, and how they relate to your research question and objectives.

Discuss the implications. Discuss the broader implications of the findings. Explain how the insights gained from the literature review can impact your specific field or topic. This discussion should connect the reviewed literature to the larger academic or practical context, demonstrating the significance of your work. Synthesize your main findings to identify patterns and gaps. Integrate and compare the results and arguments of the different sources that you have reviewed, and show how they support or contradict each other. Highlight the most important or relevant points that you have made in the body of your literature review, and explain how they inform your research question or meet your objectives.

Reflect on the research process . Reflect on the methodology and approach used in your literature review, especially when you are writing a review as a full research paper. Consider any limitations encountered during the review process and how they might have influenced your findings. This reflection adds a layer of transparency and critical evaluation to your work.

Provide a final thought . End the conclusion with a final thought that encapsulates the overall importance of your literature review. This could be a call to action, a statement on the importance of ongoing research, or a prediction about future developments in your area of study. Focus on the significance and impact of the research. Explain how your literature review contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field, and how it informs or guides your own research project. Identify any gaps or limitations that still exist in the literature, and propose some possible directions or questions for further investigation.

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Use a logical structure to present your findings . Use a logical structure to present your findings , and organize your conclusion in a way that flows smoothly from the introduction and body of your literature review.

Use transitions to connect your ideas and paragraphs . Use transitions to connect your ideas and paragraphs, and make sure your conclusion is well-organized and easy to follow.

Avoid ambiguity and vagueness in your conclusion . Use clear and concise language to convey key messages, and avoid ambiguity and vagueness in your conclusion.

Steer clear of overly broad or general statements . Steer clear of overly broad or general statements, and focus on the specific key findings and implications of your literature review. Avoid introducing new information in your conclusion, and stick to summarizing the main points and findings of your literature review.

Discuss the limitations and gaps in the existing research . Discuss the limitations and gaps in the existing research, and identify areas for future research in your literature review. Explain how your literature review contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field, and how it informs or guides your own research project.

Identify areas for future research in your literature review . Propose some possible directions or questions for further investigation and discuss the limitations and gaps in the existing research. Explain how your research addresses these gaps and limitations.

Edit and revise your conclusion carefully . Make sure it is well-organized and easy to follow. Ensure consistency with the rest of your research paper, and check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Review your conclusion in the context of your entire literature review . Make sure it accurately reflects the content and significance of your research. Ensure your conclusion effectively summarizes your research findings, and provides a clear direction for future research.

The literature review conclusion is important because it synthesizes findings, highlights research gaps, establishes the review's significance, provides a coherent end, reflects on the research process , informs future research, and enhances academic rigor . These functions collectively ensure that the literature review is a valuable and impactful academic contribution. In a literature review conclusion, you should briefly summarize the most important findings from your literature review. Highlight the major themes, patterns, and trends that emerged from the literature. This summary should encapsulate the core ideas without introducing new information. Identifying gaps in the existing literature is a crucial aspect of the conclusion. Point out areas that have not been thoroughly explored and suggest potential directions for future research. This helps establish the relevance and necessity of further investigation in your field of study.

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Learning Materials

Mastering how to conclude a literature review effectively.

Updated: Oct 07, 2024

Wrapping up a literature review can feel like trying to tie a neat bow on a complex package of ideas and research findings. It's crucial to conclude in a way that not only summarises the insights gathered but also sets the stage for future research and discussions. A strong conclusion for your literature review should include a summarising figure or table, restate the research objectives, synthesise key findings, and propose future research directions based on identified gaps. In this blog post, we'll guide you through crafting an effective conclusion by restating research questions, synthesising findings, evaluating source credibility, and suggesting future research, with additional support from Samwell.ai to enhance your academic writing.

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Crafting the perfect conclusion for your literature review.

Crafting the perfect conclusion for your literature review involves more than just summarising the main points; it's about creating a lasting impact that underscores the relevance of your research. A well-crafted conclusion serves as a bridge that connects the detailed analysis within the body of your review to the broader academic discourse. It's your final opportunity to highlight how your findings fill the existing knowledge gaps and to reinforce the importance of your research questions.

The conclusion should not introduce new information but rather focus on encapsulating the essence of your research. It is crucial to:

• Restate the main themes or findings discovered during the review.
• Emphasize how these findings answer the initial research questions or contribute to the field.
• Discuss the implications of your findings in a broader context. This approach not only reinforces the significance of your literature review but also encourages further discussion and research.

Finally, a compelling conclusion will also look forward, suggesting areas for future research that emerge from the gaps identified in the literature. This forward-looking perspective not only enhances the academic contribution of your literature review but also invites other researchers to explore the unresolved questions or new challenges. By ending with a call to future inquiry, you ensure that your literature review contributes to ongoing scholarly conversations.

Restating Your Research Question in the Conclusion

Restating your research question in the conclusion is crucial as it brings the reader full circle to the core purpose of your literature review. By revisiting the research question, you remind the reader of the central focus of your review and the rationale behind it. This restatement should be clear and concise, using fresh wording to reflect the deeper understanding gained through your review.

Additionally, restating the research question serves to:

• Reinforce the relevance of the findings in relation to the original objectives.
• Provide a clear and direct answer to the question based on the synthesis of the literature reviewed.

This strategy ensures that the reader leaves with a strong grasp of how your review addresses and contributes to resolving the initial query.

Synthesising Key Findings in Your Conclusion

Synthesising key findings in your conclusion is essential to demonstrate the collective impact of the literature you have reviewed. This synthesis involves integrating the main points into a coherent summary that highlights their significance. Focus on drawing connections between the findings and how they collectively answer the research question or contribute to understanding the topic.

Effective synthesis in the conclusion includes:

• Highlighting major themes and patterns that emerged from the review.
• Discussing how these findings relate to the broader field or future research.
• Emphasizing the contribution of your review to existing knowledge. This approach not only provides a summary but also places your findings within the larger context of the field.

Proposing Future Research Directions in Your Conclusion

Proposing future research directions in your conclusion is a strategic way to enhance the value of your literature review. By identifying and discussing gaps in the current literature, you set the stage for future studies. This section should clearly articulate potential research questions that remain unanswered and suggest possible methodologies or approaches for exploring these issues.

When suggesting future research directions, consider:

• The implications of your findings for ongoing research.
• How addressing these gaps could contribute to the advancement of the field.

This not only adds depth to your conclusion but also encourages a proactive approach to scholarly research, inviting others to build upon your work.

Evaluating Source Credibility in Your Literature Review Conclusion

Evaluating the credibility of sources in your literature review conclusion is pivotal for asserting the integrity and reliability of your research. Credibility assessment involves scrutinising the authority, accuracy, and relevance of each source used throughout your review. For instance, confirming the authority of sources ensures that the information is derived from respected and knowledgeable entities, such as academics with a strong publication record or reputable institutions. The accuracy of the content can often be validated through cross-referencing with other credible works, while the relevance pertains to how closely the source content aligns with your specific topic. This meticulous evaluation should be transparently communicated in your conclusion to reinforce the trustworthiness of your findings. Here are a few key aspects to consider when assessing source credibility:

• Author's qualifications and affiliations : This helps in understanding the depth of knowledge and potential biases.
• Publication source : Peer-reviewed journals and established publishers are generally more reliable.
• Date of publication : Ensures the currency and relevance of the information in rapidly evolving research areas.

Moreover, articulating how you evaluated the sources in your literature review conclusion adds an extra layer of sophistication to your work. It not only demonstrates your diligence as a researcher but also provides a foundation for readers to trust and build upon your findings. Discussing the methodology used for evaluating sources, such as double-checking facts or consulting multiple experts, should be highlighted. Additionally, it’s beneficial to mention any limitations or challenges faced due to the availability or bias of sources, as this showcases transparency and critical thinking. Ultimately, the way you articulate the evaluation of your sources can significantly impact the perceived credibility of your entire literature review . By concluding with a robust justification of source selection and evaluation, you ensure that your literature review stands as a reliable reference point for future research, thereby extending its utility and impact in the academic community.

Enhance Your Literature Review Conclusion with Samwell.ai

Enhancing your literature review conclusion is crucial for making a lasting academic impact, and Samwell.ai offers AI-powered writing assistance that can significantly refine this process. By leveraging Samwell.ai , you can ensure that your conclusion not only summarises the insights effectively but also aligns perfectly with academic standards. The tool aids in restating your research questions with precision, synthesising findings to highlight the collective impact, and suggesting future research directions based on identified gaps. Here’s how Samwell.ai can be particularly useful:

• It provides templates and examples of effective conclusions, helping you to structure your final paragraphs systematically.
• The AI assistant suggests alternative phrasings and stronger synonyms to enhance the clarity and authority of your conclusion.
• It identifies and fills gaps in your argumentation, ensuring a comprehensive and convincing closing section.

Beyond just writing assistance, Samwell.ai 's advanced plagiarism checks and access to quality sources ensure the originality and integrity of your literature review. The platform's sophisticated algorithms scan your text against a vast database of academic works to detect any potential plagiarism, thus safeguarding your scholarly reputation. Moreover, Samwell.ai offers:

• Integration with databases of peer-reviewed articles, providing you with credible and relevant sources that strengthen your literature review.
• Suggestions for multimedia integrations, such as relevant videos and infographics, which can enrich the context and understanding of your topic.
• A feature to automatically generate in-text citations and references in various academic styles, streamlining the tedious task of manual citation. By utilising these comprehensive tools, Samwell.ai not only enhances the quality of your literature review conclusion but also elevates your overall research experience, making it more efficient and impactful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you conclude a literature review example.

To conclude a literature review effectively, you should summarise the main themes or findings, emphasise how these findings answer the initial research questions, and discuss the implications in a broader context. It's important to restate the research objectives, synthesise key findings, and propose future research directions based on identified gaps. Ensure that the conclusion does not introduce new information but encapsulates the essence of your research.

What do you write at the end of a literature review?

At the end of a literature review, you should write a conclusion that encapsulates the main findings and themes of the review, discusses their implications, and suggests areas for future research. This includes restating the main themes, emphasising their relevance to the research questions, and proposing future research directions that emerge from the gaps identified in the literature.

What is a closing statement for literature review?

A closing statement for a literature review is a concise summary that encapsulates the essential findings and themes of the review, highlights their contribution to the field, and suggests future research directions. It should reinforce the importance of the research questions and offer a clear perspective on how the review has contributed to existing knowledge and what remains to be explored.

Do I need a conclusion for a literature review?

Yes, a conclusion is essential for a literature review. It serves as a final synthesis of the findings and themes discussed throughout the review, demonstrating how they address the research questions and contribute to the broader field. The conclusion also provides an opportunity to propose future research directions, thereby extending the impact of your review within the academic community.

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5 Steps to Write Your Literature Review Conclusion

5 Steps to Write Your Literature Review Conclusion (+ a literature review conclusion example)

So you’ve almost finished writing the literature review for your thesis or dissertation.

That’s a lot of work. Pat yourself on the back!

*pauses mid-pat on the back*

…Now you’re staring blankly at the screen wondering exactly how to wrap this thing up.

How do you write a conclusion for a literature review?

I understand your pain because I’ve worked with hundreds of students in your position.

They’ve written a comprehensive literature review with:

• An introduction that walks the reader through the purpose and structure of the literature review
• Body paragraphs that clearly synthesize and analyze sources while also identifying any gaps in the research

But when it’s time to write the final discussion and conclusion?

That’s where students often churn out a quick summary (“In this literature review, I covered X, Y, and Z”), shut the laptop, and call it a day.

This approach is tempting, but now is not the time to fizzle out.

While you should use the conclusion to briefly summarize your key points from the literature review, that’s only part of it.

The conclusion should also offer a final evaluation of the sources that you found and emphasize how YOUR STUDY (the one you’re centering your thesis or dissertation around) will clearly fill an existing gap.

Here are 5 steps to write an effective literature review conclusion (with a literature review conclusion example):

• Remind the Reader of Your Central Research Question(s) or Objectives
• Emphasize Main Points
• Discuss Gaps
• Identify How the Literature Review Will Inform Your Own Research/Study
• End with a Mic Drop

Before we get started, snag my free literature review writing checklist !

1. Remind the Reader of Your Central Research Question(s) or Objectives

This section in your conclusion will be brief–potentially only a few sentences–but don’t expect your reader to automatically remember the research question(s) or objectives that you used to frame your review of existing literature on your topic.

They need to be reminded.

I’ve included an example below.

Literature Review Conclusion Example #1: Central Research Question(s)

Maybe for your overall thesis or dissertation, you’re researching the challenges of training nursing students to use telehealth technologies.

The opening to your literature review conclusion might then be:

“The purpose of this literature review was to examine studies published within the last ten years that help to explore my overarching research question: What challenges are associated with training nursing students to integrate telehealth tools within their professional practice? The studies offer valuable insight into the current state of telehealth education within nursing programs; they also highlight important considerations for future pedagogy on telehealth tools in this field.”

The first sentence clearly reminds the reader of the research question that framed the literature review.

The second nudges the reader to remember why this study was important and also offers a roadmap of what the reader can expect to find in the conclusion.

2. Emphasize Main Points

Think of this as your moment to hammer home the following for your reader:

• The major themes or trends that emerged during your exploration of sources (and what you think about them)
• How these themes or trends relate to your research questions or objectives

Remember: this section should not merely be a detailed summary of what you already covered.

You don’t want your reader tapping their foot and saying, “Okay, sure, yes, you mentioned this already, pal.”

You’re also providing an evaluation of what you uncovered in your sources.

Let’s revisit our nursing literature review example to show you what I mean.

Literature Review Conclusion Example #2: Main Points

“My e xploration of sources revealed two primary challenges in training nursing students to use telehealth tools within their professional practices. First, multiple scholars agreed that there is a notable lack of standardized curriculum and training protocols, which leads to inconsistencies in student preparedness. Second, almost all scholars noted that some student populations face challenges accessing technology, which produces disparities in telehealth education. These themes emphasize the importance of future pedagogy that develops comprehensive guidelines and learning objectives, implements flexible learning modalities, and offers resources to ensure equitable access to telehealth education.”

Now, this example is obviously super abbreviated, but you get the idea.

The author concisely shares the main points covered in the literature review and also begins to establish why these findings matter.

3. Discuss Gaps

I can’t emphasize the importance of this section in your conclusion enough.

Here, you have the opportunity to remind the reader why your research project—the one you’re planning to conduct—is so important.

Think of the sources that you reviewed like individual bricks in a brick wall; you’ve noticed specific gaps in the wall, maybe even some places where the wall isn’t fully finished.

You say, “Hey, look at these crucial bricks that are missing here and here. Without these, the wall isn’t as strong or can never finish being built.”

It’s the same for your literature review conclusion.

You want to pinpoint exactly where further research is needed within your topic and why.

I’ll explain more in a moment.

Time to revisit our example again.

Literature Review Conclusion Example #3: Research Gaps

“While the reviewed sources revealed critical challenges of telehealth pedagogy in nursing, a few methodological gaps were clear. Several studies lacked detailed descriptions of the sampling methods employed, making it difficult to assess the representativeness of the study populations (Burns, 2017; O’Mara and Ivy, 2020; Malek, 2021). In addition, none of the studies used a longitudinal design; this made it challenging to determine the long-term impact of these telehealth education challenges on nursing students’ proficiency and subsequent professional practices.”

The example has further established gaps in the literature that need addressing and why.

This step will be foundational to the rest of your thesis or dissertation—offering the answer to the “so what?” question from other scholars about why your research matters.

4. Identify How the Literature Review Will Inform Your Research

You did it.

In the previous section of your conclusion, you reminded the reader about the gaps in the sources you reviewed.

Your next step: sharing how the literature review informed your research, and how your study will fill the existing gap(s) that you found.

Literature Review Conclusion Example #4: Informed Research

“Based on this methodological gap found within existing studies, my proposed longitudinal study will be designed to track nursing students’ telehealth education experiences over their entire academic program, and into their early professional careers. By following students from their initial exposure to telehealth pedagogy to their entry into the workforce, I will assess the long-term effects on their professional practices, providing valuable insights into the sustained impact of telehealth education challenges on nursing education and practice.”

Another abbreviated example, but it effectively serves to say,

“I’ve done my research, I’ve found what’s lacking, here’s what I’m planning to study to fill this void. Oh, also, btw, here’s why my study is so necessary to add to the existing body of research + what it will contribute to the field.”

5. End With a Mic Drop

Now, this mic drop doesn’t have to be quite as epic as when Tony Stark revealed himself to be Iron Man (this is, after all, a literature review and not a Marvel movie).

But you should try to conclude in a way that leaves an impression on the reader.

For example, you could talk about what future studies should seek to accomplish based on your findings with a final reminder that your research project will begin to do just that (this is actually the approach I took in my dissertation’s lit review conclusion).

You could also talk about the wider implications on the field that any new studies will have.

And there’s your literature review conclusion in 5 steps.

As I mentioned in the introduction to this post, don’t treat the conclusion as the part of the writing process where you quickly summarize the rest of the review and then skip off to the freezer for a congratulatory bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

(I mean, I encourage ice cream, but not just yet.)

Remember: the literature review conclusion should serve as a key place for you to emphasize:

• why you conducted the literature review;
• what you found;
• and why your findings are so valuable/how they’ll shape your upcoming research project.

By writing the conclusion following the above steps, you’re essentially setting yourself up for success when writing the rest of your thesis or dissertation.

Now that’s worth a bowl of ice cream.

Happy writing!

Hi, I'm Erin. I help graduate students go from feeling unsure about their writing to confident and successful academic writers. Welcome to my blog!

Dr. Erin Schleiden Academic Writing Coach

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Writing a Literature Review

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A literature review is a document or section of a document that collects key sources on a topic and discusses those sources in conversation with each other (also called synthesis ). The lit review is an important genre in many disciplines, not just literature (i.e., the study of works of literature such as novels and plays). When we say “literature review” or refer to “the literature,” we are talking about the research ( scholarship ) in a given field. You will often see the terms “the research,” “the scholarship,” and “the literature” used mostly interchangeably.

Where, when, and why would I write a lit review?

There are a number of different situations where you might write a literature review, each with slightly different expectations; different disciplines, too, have field-specific expectations for what a literature review is and does. For instance, in the humanities, authors might include more overt argumentation and interpretation of source material in their literature reviews, whereas in the sciences, authors are more likely to report study designs and results in their literature reviews; these differences reflect these disciplines’ purposes and conventions in scholarship. You should always look at examples from your own discipline and talk to professors or mentors in your field to be sure you understand your discipline’s conventions, for literature reviews as well as for any other genre.

A literature review can be a part of a research paper or scholarly article, usually falling after the introduction and before the research methods sections. In these cases, the lit review just needs to cover scholarship that is important to the issue you are writing about; sometimes it will also cover key sources that informed your research methodology.

Lit reviews can also be standalone pieces, either as assignments in a class or as publications. In a class, a lit review may be assigned to help students familiarize themselves with a topic and with scholarship in their field, get an idea of the other researchers working on the topic they’re interested in, find gaps in existing research in order to propose new projects, and/or develop a theoretical framework and methodology for later research. As a publication, a lit review usually is meant to help make other scholars’ lives easier by collecting and summarizing, synthesizing, and analyzing existing research on a topic. This can be especially helpful for students or scholars getting into a new research area, or for directing an entire community of scholars toward questions that have not yet been answered.

What are the parts of a lit review?

Most lit reviews use a basic introduction-body-conclusion structure; if your lit review is part of a larger paper, the introduction and conclusion pieces may be just a few sentences while you focus most of your attention on the body. If your lit review is a standalone piece, the introduction and conclusion take up more space and give you a place to discuss your goals, research methods, and conclusions separately from where you discuss the literature itself.

Introduction:

• An introductory paragraph that explains what your working topic and thesis is
• A forecast of key topics or texts that will appear in the review
• Potentially, a description of how you found sources and how you analyzed them for inclusion and discussion in the review (more often found in published, standalone literature reviews than in lit review sections in an article or research paper)
• Summarize and synthesize: Give an overview of the main points of each source and combine them into a coherent whole
• Analyze and interpret: Don’t just paraphrase other researchers – add your own interpretations where possible, discussing the significance of findings in relation to the literature as a whole
• Critically Evaluate: Mention the strengths and weaknesses of your sources
• Write in well-structured paragraphs: Use transition words and topic sentence to draw connections, comparisons, and contrasts.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the key findings you have taken from the literature and emphasize their significance
• Connect it back to your primary research question

How should I organize my lit review?

Lit reviews can take many different organizational patterns depending on what you are trying to accomplish with the review. Here are some examples:

• Chronological : The simplest approach is to trace the development of the topic over time, which helps familiarize the audience with the topic (for instance if you are introducing something that is not commonly known in your field). If you choose this strategy, be careful to avoid simply listing and summarizing sources in order. Try to analyze the patterns, turning points, and key debates that have shaped the direction of the field. Give your interpretation of how and why certain developments occurred (as mentioned previously, this may not be appropriate in your discipline — check with a teacher or mentor if you’re unsure).
• Thematic : If you have found some recurring central themes that you will continue working with throughout your piece, you can organize your literature review into subsections that address different aspects of the topic. For example, if you are reviewing literature about women and religion, key themes can include the role of women in churches and the religious attitude towards women.
• Qualitative versus quantitative research
• Empirical versus theoretical scholarship
• Divide the research by sociological, historical, or cultural sources
• Theoretical : In many humanities articles, the literature review is the foundation for the theoretical framework. You can use it to discuss various theories, models, and definitions of key concepts. You can argue for the relevance of a specific theoretical approach or combine various theorical concepts to create a framework for your research.

What are some strategies or tips I can use while writing my lit review?

Any lit review is only as good as the research it discusses; make sure your sources are well-chosen and your research is thorough. Don’t be afraid to do more research if you discover a new thread as you’re writing. More info on the research process is available in our "Conducting Research" resources .

As you’re doing your research, create an annotated bibliography ( see our page on the this type of document ). Much of the information used in an annotated bibliography can be used also in a literature review, so you’ll be not only partially drafting your lit review as you research, but also developing your sense of the larger conversation going on among scholars, professionals, and any other stakeholders in your topic.

Usually you will need to synthesize research rather than just summarizing it. This means drawing connections between sources to create a picture of the scholarly conversation on a topic over time. Many student writers struggle to synthesize because they feel they don’t have anything to add to the scholars they are citing; here are some strategies to help you:

• It often helps to remember that the point of these kinds of syntheses is to show your readers how you understand your research, to help them read the rest of your paper.
• Writing teachers often say synthesis is like hosting a dinner party: imagine all your sources are together in a room, discussing your topic. What are they saying to each other?
• Look at the in-text citations in each paragraph. Are you citing just one source for each paragraph? This usually indicates summary only. When you have multiple sources cited in a paragraph, you are more likely to be synthesizing them (not always, but often
• Read more about synthesis here.

The most interesting literature reviews are often written as arguments (again, as mentioned at the beginning of the page, this is discipline-specific and doesn’t work for all situations). Often, the literature review is where you can establish your research as filling a particular gap or as relevant in a particular way. You have some chance to do this in your introduction in an article, but the literature review section gives a more extended opportunity to establish the conversation in the way you would like your readers to see it. You can choose the intellectual lineage you would like to be part of and whose definitions matter most to your thinking (mostly humanities-specific, but this goes for sciences as well). In addressing these points, you argue for your place in the conversation, which tends to make the lit review more compelling than a simple reporting of other sources.

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Writing: Literature Review Basics

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The Job of the Conclusion

The job of the conclusion is, quite literally, to conclude ... or to wrap things up so the reader feels a sense of closure.  It accomplishes this by stepping back from the specifics in order to view the bigger picture of the document. In other words, it is reminding the reader of the main argument.

Whereas an introduction started out generally and moved towards discussion of a specific focus, the conclusion takes the opposite approach.  It starts by reminding the reader of the contents and importance of your findings and then moves out gradually to more general topics.

For most written assignments, the conclusion is a single paragraph.  It does not introduce any new information; rather, it succinctly restates your chief conclusions and places the importance of your findings within your field.  Depending upon the purpose of the literature review, you may also include a brief statement of future directions or self-reflection.

Here is an easy checklist for writing a conclusion:

 Is the main argument of the paper accurately restated as the first sentence (but is not copied verbatim?

In a literature review, you basicaly want to answer the question, "What did I find out? What conclusions did I come to?"   Giving the reader a one-sentence answer to this question that provides a summary of your findings is a solid way to begin a conclusion.

  What recommendations do you have?

Here you may offer the reader your suggestions on what you think should happen next.  You can make recommendations that are specific to the evidence you have uncovered, or you can make recommendations for future research.  When this area is well done, it links to previous conclusions you have already made and gives the conclusion a finished feeling.

 Did you remind the reader of the importance of the topic and how it can contribute to the knowledge in the field?

Make sure that the paper places its findings in the context of some kind of needed change, relevance, or solution.  If you addressed why the topic was interesting, important, or relevant in your introduction, you can loop back to that here.  Other ways that can be done are to remind the reader of other research you have discussed and how your work builds upon theirs, or what gaps there may yet be to explore.

Keep these items in mind as "what not to do":

 Is there a sense of closure without using words such as "In conclusion?"

If you have to use the words "In conclusion" or similar ones to launch your conclusion so the reader knows the end is near, you've got a problem.  Make sure the reader has a distinct sense that the paper has come to an end without telling them it is ending. It is important to not leave the reader hanging. 

 Did you avoid presenting any new information?

No new ideas should be introduced in the conclusion. It is simply a review of the material that is already present in the paper. The only new idea would be the suggesting of a direction for future research.

Stigmatization of the mentally ill is caused by the public’s belief in myths about the dangerousness of the mentally ill and exposing those myths can reduce stigmatization. At least one-third of the people sampled in one study said that they would both reject socially and fear violence from someone displaying behaviors associated with different mentally illnesses. Other research discovered that this rejection is associated to lack of contact with the mentally ill and that as contact increased, fear of the mentally ill decreased. The direction of the relationship between fear and rejection seems to be that fear (possibly based upon myths about mental illness) causes rejection. Taken as a whole, it appears that exposing these myths as myths increases the acceptance of the mentally ill and that staged contact with a mentally person to expose myths has an even more powerful effect. Caution must be advised, though; Martin et al.’s (2002) and Alexander and Link’s (2003) studies and the first study of Corrigan et al. (2002) were based upon paper and pencil methodologies. And while Corrigan et al.’s (2002) second study involved staged Myths of violence 6 presentations, it was conducted in a college setting with a college sample. Future research should replicate these findings in more natural settings with different populations.

Now let's break that down.

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How to Write a Literature Review Conclusion

A literature review conclusion is the culminating chapter of a literature review . It draws together the key elements of your research and wraps up the story of how you came to your conclusions.

The conclusion should be concise and clear, summarising your argument and findings in a few sentences. It should also emphasise any implications for future research or practice that might result from your findings, and any connections between the different sources you have consulted during the writing process.

This blog provides some tips on how to write a literature review conclusion effectively. We will look at what this important final chapter should include and provide writing tips on how to write strong conclusions in general.

Table of Contents

Summarise the Main Findings of the Review

A literature review is an organised summary of scholarly sources that provide a comprehensive overview of research on a specific topic. Drawing upon previously established research and scholarship, the conclusion of your literature review should summarise the main finding of the review.

To do this, you will need to discuss the findings into several succinct points that convey the overall message of the literature review . Start by summarising each section—the introduction , body, and any additional sections—into key takeaways. Highlight specific quotes that stood out to you or caught your attention as you read through each source. Picking out certain phrases or concepts from each source can help you make connections between different authors and topics in the literature.

Synthesise and Evaluate the Studies

The conclusion should also synthesise and evaluate the studies you have discussed, showing how they support or contradict each other. It is also important to explain any relationships between the studies, including similarities and differences.

It’s important to remember that a literature review conclusion isn’t a stand-alone piece of writing—it should be integrated with your overall argument. 

Addressing Research Gaps and Limitations

A literature review conclusion should be an opportunity to draw together the key themes, insights and conclusions from your research into the topic. It should provide answers to the questions you set out to answer, address any research gaps and limitations , and expand upon existing knowledge on the subject.

To achieve this, there are a few steps you can take:

Discuss Research Gaps and Limitations

When highlighting research gaps in a literature review , it is important to also provide potential solutions or recommendations for further study. Think critically about what could be done in future studies to address any limitations you encountered with your own research.

Expand on Existing Knowledge

Finally, use your conclusion as an opportunity to open up the discussion around existing knowledge on the subject. Consider how what you’ve learned could be applied in other contexts, or if more research is needed in order to deepen our understanding of the topic.

Implications and Practical Applications

When writing a literature review conclusion, it is important to consider the implications and practical applications of the research. Did the research lead to any new methods or processes that could be used for future studies? Did it provide any insights into how the topic can be applied in a practical setting?

When discussing implications and practical applications, it is important to consider:

• Potential implications of the research findings
• How the results can be used in practice
• The relevance and importance of the research
• Unanswered questions and areas for further exploration

Suggestions for Future Research

Now that you have successfully written and summarised the literature review , it is important to provide readers with some directions for future research. Suggestions for future research can come in many forms and may depend on the focus of the literature review . Some general suggestions include:

• Identifying gaps in current research and providing new areas to explore
• Developing further research questions or hypotheses
• Recommending further methodological approaches
• Exploring new ways of interpreting data or results
• Introducing innovative ideas or solutions to existing problems

When providing these suggestions, it is important to be specific and give concrete examples of what needs to be done. By doing so, you will have provided a valuable service to your readers and colleagues who are interested in the subject.

All in all, writing a literature review conclusion is a tough task that requires a lot of thought and research. The conclusions you draw should be supported by the evidence you have gathered in your literature review process. Make sure to be clear-cut and succinct, and remember to revisit your conclusion periodically to ensure that it is still valid. Be sure to back up your conclusions with reliable sources, and leave the readers with something to think about.

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What you can read next.

The Ultimate Guide to Conducting a Literature Review in Health and Social Care

CASP Tool vs. Other Literature Review Assessment Methods: Pros and Cons

Structuring a Literature Review for a Thesis: Top Strategies

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How to write a conclusion for literature review?

How to Write a Conclusion for a Literature Review

A literature review is a critical analysis of the existing research on a particular topic. It involves synthesizing the findings and insights from various studies to identify patterns, trends, and gaps in the literature. A well-written conclusion is essential to summarize the main findings and implications of the literature review. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a conclusion for a literature review.

What is a Conclusion for a Literature Review?

A conclusion for a literature review is a summary of the main findings and implications of the review. It should answer the research question or objectives of the literature review and provide a synthesis of the key findings. The conclusion should also highlight the contributions of the review to the existing body of knowledge and identify potential areas for future research.

Key Components of a Conclusion for a Literature Review

A conclusion for a literature review typically includes the following key components:

• Summary of the main findings : A brief summary of the key findings and insights from the literature review.
• Implications : An analysis of the implications of the findings for future research, practice, and policy.
• Limitations : An acknowledgment of the limitations of the review and the potential biases.
• Future research directions : An identification of potential areas for future research.

Step 1: Summarize the Main Findings

• Restate the research question : Restate the research question or objectives of the literature review.
• Synthesize the key findings : Synthesize the key findings and insights from the literature review.
• Highlight the main themes : Highlight the main themes and patterns that emerged from the review.

"The findings of this literature review indicate that smoking is a significant risk factor for lung cancer . The review also suggests that early detection and treatment are critical in improving the survival rates of lung cancer patients. Furthermore, the literature highlights the need for effective tobacco control measures to reduce the incidence of lung cancer."

Step 2: Discuss the Implications

• Analyze the implications : Analyze the implications of the findings for future research, practice, and policy.
• Highlight the practical applications : Highlight the practical applications of the findings.
• Discuss the potential impact : Discuss the potential impact of the findings on the field.

"The findings of this literature review have significant implications for future research, practice, and policy. The results highlight the need for further research on the efficacy of smoking cessation programs . Practically, the findings emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment . The results also suggest that public health policies aimed at reducing tobacco use are crucial in reducing the incidence of lung cancer."

Step 3: Acknowledge the Limitations

• Acknowledge the limitations : Acknowledge the limitations of the review and the potential biases.
• Highlight the methodological limitations : Highlight the methodological limitations of the review.
• Discuss the potential sources of bias : Discuss the potential sources of bias.

"It is essential to acknowledge the limitations of this literature review. The review is limited to a specific dataset and population . The search strategy may not have captured all relevant studies . The literature may have been biased towards studies that reported significant results . Future reviews should aim to address these limitations and include a more comprehensive search strategy."

Step 4: Identify Future Research Directions

• Identify potential areas for future research : Identify potential areas for future research.
• Highlight the gaps in the literature : Highlight the gaps in the literature.
• Discuss the potential research questions : Discuss the potential research questions.

"The findings of this literature review suggest that there is a need for further research on the effects of smoking cessation programs . The literature is limited by a lack of studies on the long-term effects of smoking cessation . Future research should aim to investigate the cost-effectiveness of different smoking cessation programs ."

A well-written conclusion for a literature review is essential to summarize the main findings and implications of the review. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can write a conclusion that effectively synthesizes the key findings and highlights the contributions of the review to the existing body of knowledge. Remember to summarize the main findings, discuss the implications, acknowledge the limitations, and identify future research directions.

Table: Conclusion Outline

Additional Tips

• Keep the conclusion concise : Keep the conclusion concise and to the point.
• Avoid introducing new information : Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
• Use clear language : Use clear and concise language in the conclusion.
• Use bold headings and subheadings : Use bold headings and subheadings to organize the conclusion.

By following these tips and guidelines, you can write a conclusion for a literature review that effectively summarizes the main findings and implications of the review. Remember to summarize the main findings, discuss the implications, acknowledge the limitations, and identify future research directions.

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