how can underlying theory be written in literature review
When writing about underlying theories in a literature review, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the key theories: Start by identifying the main theories relevant to your research topic. These theories should serve as the foundation for your literature review. For example, if you're exploring the effects of social media on self-esteem, theories like social comparison theory or self-presentation theory could be relevant.
2. Provide a brief overview: Begin by briefly explaining each theory's main concepts, principles, and assumptions. This will help readers understand the theory's underlying framework and its relevance to your research.
3. Discuss previous research: Review and summarize previous studies that have used these theories in similar or related contexts. Highlight the ways in which these theories have been applied and the findings they have yielded. This step is crucial to establish the theoretical background of your research and demonstrate the existing knowledge gap you aim to fill.
4. Critically analyze the theories: Offer a critical analysis of the theories by discussing their strengths, limitations, and potential biases. Evaluate the extent to which these theories have been tested and supported by empirical evidence. You can also discuss any disagreements or debates in the literature surrounding these theories.
5. Connect the theories to your research: Highlight how these theories connect to your research questions or objectives. Explain how the theories can help explain or predict phenomena in your specific research context. You can also discuss any modifications or adaptations you plan to make to these theories to suit your research.
6. Identify gaps and propose your approach: Identify any gaps or limitations in the existing literature or theories. Explain how your research will contribute to filling these gaps by addressing unanswered questions or exploring novel aspects. Outline your research approach, methodology, and research questions that directly build upon the insights provided by the discussed theories.
7. Summarize and integrate: Finally, summarize the key points discussed in each theory section and integrate the information to present a coherent narrative. Emphasize how these theories collectively form the underlying theoretical framework for your research.
Remember, a literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of existing knowledge and theories in your research field. Focus on synthesizing and analyzing the literature rather than merely describing each theory separately.