Writing a literature review is one of the most critical and often most misunderstood parts of a research project, thesis, or dissertation in Nigerian universities. It’s not just about compiling previous studies; it’s about showing that you understand the academic conversation around your topic and can identify where your research fits in.
Many Nigerian students struggle with Chapter Two, leading to delays, rejection by supervisors, or outright project failure.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to write a literature review that gets approved fast, with practical steps, Nigerian university formatting tips, and examples to make your review stand out.
What Is a Literature Review?
A literature review is a critical summary of existing academic work (books, journal articles, theses, etc.) related to your research topic. It helps to:
- Show what has been studied before
- Identify gaps or limitations in previous research
- Establish the context for your own study
- Avoid repeating past research
- Justify your topic and methodology
Why Do Many Nigerian Students Get Chapter Two Wrong?
- They copy-paste from past projects without understanding
- They summarize unrelated sources
- They don’t connect the review to their own study
- They lack proper referencing or use outdated sources
Let’s fix that with a step-by-step strategy.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Write a Literature Review That Gets Approved Fast
Step 1: Understand Your Research Objectives First
Before you even search for materials, revisit your:
- Research topic
- Objectives or research questions
- Scope of your study
If your objective is to study the impact of e-learning on secondary school students in Lagos, your literature review should focus on:
- E-learning adoption in Nigeria
- Technology in education
- Past studies on student performance
- Challenges of e-learning in developing countries
Step 2: Gather Relevant Literature (Local + International Sources)
Look for recent and credible sources related to your topic:
- Textbooks
- Academic journals
- Dissertations
- Government reports
- Reputable websites (World Bank, NUC, WHO, etc.)
Where to find them:
- Google Scholar (scholar.google.com)
- JSTOR, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect
- Your university library
- ProPapers’ curated research library (request access)
Use a mix of foreign and Nigerian-based research to make your work relatable.
Step 3: Organize Your Review Thematically (Not Author-by-Author)
A big mistake students make is listing what every author said one by one. Instead, group your review by themes.
Example themes:
- Adoption of E-learning in Developing Countries
- Theoretical Frameworks in Educational Technology
- Impact of E-learning on Student Performance
- Challenges of E-learning in Nigeria
🚫 Don’t write like this:
“Ojo (2017) said… Adekunle (2018) argued… Musa (2019) wrote…”
✅ Instead, write like this:
“Several scholars agree that digital learning platforms have improved student performance in urban areas (Ojo, 2017; Adekunle, 2018). However, Musa (2019) notes that this progress is slower in rural settings due to poor internet access.”
Step 4: Critically Analyze, Don’t Just Summarize
You’re not just reporting what others said, you’re analyzing it.
Ask:
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of this study?
- Is there a gap in the literature?
- Is the data still relevant?
- Does it support or contradict other findings?
Example:
“While Akintola (2016) found a positive correlation between online learning and academic achievement, his study focused only on private schools in Abuja. This limits its generalizability to public schools in rural areas.”
Step 5: Build a Logical Flow
Your literature review should:
- Start with general studies in your field
- Narrow down to more specific studies related to your topic
- End by showing the gap your study intends to fill
The goal is to position your research as a natural next step in the academic conversation.
Step 6: Use Proper Referencing Style
Check your department’s preferred citation format (most use APA, Harvard, or MLA). Be consistent and list every source used.
📌 Tools that can help:
- Zotero / Mendeley – for automatic citation
- Grammarly Premium – for in-text citation suggestions
- Google Docs and MS Word referencing tool
Step 7: End with a Conceptual or Theoretical Framework (If Required)
Most Nigerian universities expect Chapter Two to end with:
- A Theoretical Framework – A theory that supports your study
- A Conceptual Framework – A diagram or model explaining how variables relate
Example for e-learning:
“This study adopts the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as its theoretical foundation…”
Sample Structure of a Literature Review in Nigeria
- Introduction
- Review of Key Concepts and Definitions
- Thematic Review of Past Studies
- Critique of Existing Literature
- Identified Research Gaps
- Theoretical Framework
- Conceptual Framework (Optional)
- Summary of the Chapter
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using outdated sources (before 2010 unless foundational)
- Not citing properly (leading to plagiarism)
- Copy-pasting without paraphrasing
- Writing too much without connecting it to your objectives
- Mixing referencing styles (e.g., APA + MLA)
Tips to Get Your Literature Review Approved Fast
- Start early and submit drafts for feedback
- Make it relevant to your topic and objectives
- Avoid general or unrelated information
- Use updated, peer-reviewed materials
- Hire a professional editor if needed
How ProPapers Nigeria Can Help
At ProPapers.com.ng, we assist Nigerian students with:
- Literature Review Writing
- Journal Article Review
- Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks
- APA/Harvard Referencing & Formatting
- Plagiarism Checking and Removal
📲 Need help now? ✅ WhatsApp us ➡ Click here to chat 📧 Email: [email protected]
Conclusion
Your literature review isn’t just another chapter; it’s the backbone of your entire research. When done right, it proves that your study is valid, necessary, and well-informed. Follow this guide, avoid common pitfalls, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you’re stuck.
With a strong literature review, you’re one big step closer to research success and academic excellence.
