Review of Literature in Medical & PhD Thesis

Common Problems in Medical Review of Literature

• Author-by-author summaries
• Excessive quotation and paraphrasing
• Poor logical flow
• High similarity scores

Theme-Based Literature Review (Preferred)

Modern examiners prefer literature organized by themes, concepts, or outcomes rather than individual authors. This improves readability and reduces plagiarism.

How We Structure Review of Literature

1. Define major themes related to your study
2. Group related studies under each theme
3. Synthesize findings instead of copying language
4. Maintain citation balance
5. Align ROL with objectives and discussion

Medical Thesis vs PhD Literature Review

Medical theses focus on examiner expectations and timelines, while PhD theses require deeper conceptual synthesis. The structure and depth are adjusted accordingly.