What Should I Include in My Chapter 2 Dissertation? A Doctoral Guide for Literature Reviews

Chapter 2 of a dissertation is commonly the literature review. In psychology and education doctoral programs, this chapter serves as the academic foundation for the study by examining existing research, identifying gaps in the literature, and establishing the theoretical context for the dissertation topic.

Unlike Chapter 1, which introduces the problem and purpose of the study, Chapter 2 demonstrates that the researcher understands the scholarly conversation surrounding the topic. A strong literature review does more than summarize sources—it synthesizes research, evaluates patterns and disagreements in the literature, and supports the need for the current study.

While exact requirements vary by institution, most Chapter 2 sections include several core components.

What Should I Include in My Chapter 2 Dissertation? Introduction to the Literature Review

Chapter 2 typically begins with a brief introduction that explains the purpose and organization of the literature review. This section prepares the reader for the themes and categories that will be discussed throughout the chapter.

In general, the literature review will:

• restate the research problem, research purpose, and background rationale

• explain the focus/scope of the literature review

• introduce the theoretical framework

• identify and explain major themes or topics

• connect content to the theoretical framework

• summarize key findings and introduce Chapter 3

The introduction section of the literature review will restate the research problem, research purpose, and background rationale. The focus/scope of the literature review may also be explained here, but this may be left for its own section following the introduction. The introduction section should provide a roadmap for the reader and establish a logical structure for the chapter.

What Should I Include in the Theoretical Framework?

The theoretical framework is often expanded significantly in Chapter 2. While Chapter 1 may briefly introduce the selected theory, Chapter 2 provides a deeper examination of the framework’s origins, concepts, and relevance to the study.

Students should explain:

• who developed the theory

• the key principles of the framework

• how it relates to the research topic

• how prior researchers have applied it

The framework should connect clearly to the research questions and guide the reporting and interpretation of the study's findings in Chapters 4 and 5. Education dissertations may use theories such as Constructivist Learning Theory or Self-Determination Theory, while psychology dissertations may rely on Attachment Theory or Cognitive Behavioral Theory.

How Do I Perform a Review of Related Literature?

The main body of Chapter 2 consists of the review of related literature. This section examines prior studies related to the dissertation topic and organizes them into themes, categories, or trends.

Rather than listing studies one by one, students should synthesize the literature by discussing:

• patterns across studies

• similarities and differences in findings

• strengths and weaknesses in existing research

• recurring methodologies or populations

• unresolved questions or inconsistencies

A thematic organization is often easier to follow than a purely chronological review. You may begin with an outline and/or an annotated bibliography that contains information, but organizing these ideas into themes is key. You can use the same source across multiple sections, provided that the source contributes to or supports the themes/ideas you are discussing.

For example, a dissertation on online learning engagement may organize literature into themes such as:

• student motivation

• technology integration

• faculty support

• academic outcomes

My education literature review was on AI and public health education and my key literature review themes were: artificial intelligence in higher education, learning technologies and the online classroom, ethical perceptions of artificial intelligence, students beliefs and motivations about artificial intelligence, applications of artificial intelligence in learning, applications of artificial intelligence in public health education, artificial intelligence and patient safety, and research topic counterargument.

Ultimately, the goal of the literature is to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the research area. Show that you are able to present information in a logical order and tie ideas together across sources. Find authors that both support and oppose ideas. Cite multiple authors for both the supporting and opposing sides of an idea when these are relevant to concepts you are aiming to validate or explore in your research.

How Do I Identify Research Gaps in the Literature?

One of the most important purposes of Chapter 2 is identifying gaps in the literature. A dissertation should contribute something meaningful to existing knowledge, and the literature review helps establish what has not yet been adequately explored.

Research gaps may include:

• understudied populations

• conflicting findings in prior studies

• outdated research

• methodological limitations

• lack of qualitative or quantitative exploration

The identified gap should connect directly to the purpose statement and research questions introduced in Chapter 1.

Should I Include a Conceptual or Historical Background?

Depending on the topic, some dissertations include sections that provide historical or conceptual background information. This may involve discussing:

• the historical development of an educational policy or psychological concept

• changes in theoretical understanding over time

• evolution of instructional methods or diagnostic approaches

These sections help provide context for understanding the current research problem. In my health psychology dissertation, I used the Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, 1974) and provided some background about the contributing authors.

How Many Scholarly Sources Should Be Used in Chapter 2 of the Dissertation?

If you are asking "What sources should I include in my chapter 2 of the dissertation?" Chapter 2 should rely heavily on peer-reviewed academic literature. Most institutions expect students to use:

• scholarly journal articles

• academic books

• seminal theoretical works

• recent peer-reviewed studies

Students should pay close attention to APA formatting and citation consistency throughout the chapter. Because literature reviews often contain large numbers of citations, this chapter is particularly vulnerable to APA formatting errors and inconsistencies.

What is the difference between a summary and synthesis in dissertation Chapter 2?

A common mistake in Chapter 2 is writing a series of disconnected article summaries. Strong literature reviews synthesize research rather than simply describing studies individually.

Synthesis means:

• comparing findings across studies

• discussing trends and contradictions

• connecting research to the dissertation topic

• critically analyzing the literature

This demonstrates doctoral-level academic thinking and analytical ability.

What is included in the Chapter 2 summary?

Most Chapter 2 sections conclude with a summary that:

• reviews major themes discussed

• reinforces the identified research gap

• transitions into Chapter 3 methodology

This closing section should clearly explain how the literature review supports the need for the current study. Discuss major findings from the literature and introduce what will be discussed in Chapter 3.

Common Challenges in Chapter 2

Many doctoral students find Chapter 2 challenging because it requires:

• extensive reading and organization

• synthesis of large amounts of information

• balancing breadth and depth

• maintaining consistent APA formatting

Students often benefit from creating outlines, thematic categories, and annotated bibliographies before drafting the full chapter.

Final Thoughts

Chapter 2 is one of the most important parts of a dissertation because it demonstrates scholarly understanding of the research topic and establishes the academic justification for the study. A strong literature review connects theory, prior research, and research gaps into a cohesive narrative that supports the dissertation’s purpose and methodology.

By focusing on synthesis, organization, and alignment with the research problem, doctoral students can create a Chapter 2 that strengthens the overall quality and credibility of their dissertation.

If you need help editing your Chapter 2, read more here.