Developing a comprehensive literature review chapter for qualitative research: an evidence-informed guide for students and early-career researchers in low-income contexts

Document Type

Article

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa

Abstract

Background: Developing a comprehensive literature review chapter is a critical skill for students and early-career researchers conducting qualitative research, particularly in low-income settings where access to resources may be constrained. A well-constructed literature review serves as the foundation for research by situating the study within the existing body of knowledge and identifying gaps that the research seeks to address. However, there is a notable lack of accessible, simplified, and practical guidelines tailored to students and early career researchers in low-resource environments, which hinders their ability to develop proficiency in this essential area.

Objective: To provide a practical and accessible framework for developing a literature review chapter for qualitative research, with particular relevance to students and early-career researchers working in resource-constrained settings.

Methods: This article employed a descriptive methodological approach informed by evidence synthesis, methodological literature on literature reviews, and the author's prior qualitative research experience. Key recommendations from methodological publications and practical examples from qualitative research were reviewed, synthesized, and organized into a framework comprising seven complementary techniques for literature review development.

Findings: The framework identifies seven essential techniques for constructing a literature review chapter: summarizing the literature search, articulating discussions on literature, categorizing bodies of literature, comparing arguments within the literature, exemplifying key arguments or findings, identifying critical gaps and their implications, and positioning research to address identified gaps. The framework emphasizes transparency, critical analysis, contextual relevance, and practical applicability in resource-constrained environments.

Conclusion: The proposed framework offers a simplified and evidence-informed approach to literature review development for qualitative research. Mastering the steps proposed in the framework allows students and early-career researchers to improve the quality, rigor, and scholarly contribution of their research while enhancing participation in global academic discourse.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Tanzania Journal of Health Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.4314/thrb.v27i5.25

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS