Thematic literature reviews can be overwhelming, but knowing how to write one will help you stay calm and in control!
A literature review with a thematic structure is characterised by a series of headings or "themes", which each examine a key aspect of the academic literature relating to your topic.
These themes might be categories, angles, perspectives, sub-topics, events, concepts - it all depends on what you're examining in your research. However, they are clearly distinct from each other and each one critically analyses the literature around a specific element of the existing scholarship.
It can be difficult to know where to begin when starting a thematic literature review but in this video, I will walk you through the step by step process of going from confused and overwhelmed to 100% in control of the literature review process and actually enjoying it (yes, that is a possibility!).
We'll begin with your title, and I'll identify how you can use it to get your thematic literature review off to a strong start. Then we'll explore some of the challenges and stumbling blocks commonly encountered with thematic literature reviews and how you can avoid them - or at least minimise their impact upon your momentum and progress.
Are you currently writing a thematic literature review? What's it on? What's your topic? I would love to find out more about your research so drop a comment below!
Chapters
0:00 - 1:19 Introduction
1:20 - 2:58 What is a thematic literature review?
2:59 - 4:27 Example of a thematic literature review
4:28 - 7:43 Identifying provisional themes from your title
7:44 - 9:45 How to do a literature search for a thematic literature review
9:46 - 12:14 Get messy
12:15 - 13:58 Revisit your thematic literature review regularly
13:59 - 14:07 Conclusion
// Other helpful videos //
How to structure your literature review https://youtu.be/x1Ai7YYRF4A?si=Awm5oXtW9rvLTRTe
Literature review secrets https://youtu.be/WxqTTxQz_Hs?si=tVAcYyH2MTyPy4er
Advanced literature review - how to start strong https://youtu.be/V40DNTD0NkM?si=SPS4MLOgoAMjFn7I
Types of literature review - thematic and chronological https://youtu.be/PwVAMgL5f6M?si=QTBsaaSZurAt-KMP
How to write a literature review in 5 steps https://youtu.be/6CNO2D_ZlXQ?si=J1nbTnN_C_eExKnk
// Tidy up a messy literature review with my FREE guide! //
Grab my free PDF guide for tidying up a messy literature review AND get on my email list at the same time! The PhD journey can be a tough one, and my weekly emails are written with that in mind! They’re full of advice and easy-to-implement tips, as well as, “It’s okay, the way you’re feeling is completely valid” type stuff. Here's the link to sign up for your free guide and the email list: https://www.thedegreedoctor.com/how-to-structure-your-phd-literature-review
// In the Degree Doctor Shop - "How to write a thematic literature review" guide and planners //
For a more in-depth walk-through of the thematic literature review process, check out my step-by-step guide and planners. Tackle lit review writer's block, gain some momentum and start feeling excited about your research again!
https://www.thedegreedoctor.com/phd-survival-guides/p/how-to-write-a-thematic-literature-review-for-your-social-sciences-phd