You’re writing Chapter 2 — the literature review — and now you have a folder full of PDFs, 50 open tabs, and a growing sense of panic.
You’ve read dozens of articles, but the big question remains:

Which ones do you actually include?

It’s a common trap: feeling like you have to mention every study you found just to look thorough. But here’s the truth — a great literature review is not about volume, it’s about relevance and clarity.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to decide which studies to keep and which to toss — so you can write a strong, focused Chapter 2 that your panel will respect (and understand).]

The Real Purpose of Chapter 2

Before anything else, remember: Chapter 2 isn’t a dump of everything ever written on your topic.

It should:

• Establish the current state of knowledge in your field.
• Identify gaps in the literature.
• Position your study as a meaningful contribution.

So if a study doesn’t help you do that, it probably doesn’t belong in Chapter 2.

How to Know What to Include

Use this checklist to evaluate each study:

✅ 1. Is it relevant to your topic, variables, or research questions?

This is the most important filter. Ask:

• Does it support, contradict, or inform my research?
• Can I connect it to my objectives or framework?

If it’s only slightly related or talks about a different population/context altogether with no meaningful comparison — skip it.

✅ 2. Is it recent?

Most panels and journals prefer sources from the last 5–10 years. Exceptions:

• If the study is a foundational theory (e.g., Bandura, Vygotsky).
• If there are very few recent works on a niche topic.

Avoid relying heavily on outdated research — it weakens your credibility.

✅ 3. Is it from a credible source?

Look for:

• Peer-reviewed journals
• Academic books
• Theses/dissertations from reputable institutions

🚫 Avoid: blogs, opinion sites, or random PDFs from questionable domains.

✅ 4. Is it contextually similar?

Studies done in the same region, population, or setting as your own carry more weight.

But if a study is from a different country, ask:

• Can it offer contrast or highlight differences?
• Does it help justify why your local study is needed?

If not — don’t force it in.

✅ 5. Does it add unique insight?

Don’t repeat the same idea five times with different citations. Choose:

• The clearest
• The most well-designed
• Or the most cited/credible study

Focus on depth, not repetition.

When to Ignore a Study

Not everything you find belongs in Chapter 2. Exclude if:

🚫 It’s too old.

Unless it’s foundational, avoid relying on studies from 15–20 years ago.

🚫 It’s only slightly relevant.

If it mentions your keyword once but doesn’t explore it deeply, skip it.

🚫 It lacks credibility.

No author, no journal, no methodology? No thank you.

🚫 It adds nothing new.

If it just repeats findings you already covered in another source, let it go.

How Many Studies Should You Include?

This depends on your academic level:

• 📘 Undergrad thesis – 15–30 studies
• 📗 Master’s thesis – 30–60 studies
• 📕 Ph.D. dissertation – 60–100+ studies

But don’t aim for numbers. Aim for coverage. Each study should play a role in building your case.

How to Stay Organized

• Use a literature matrix or spreadsheet with columns:
  Author | Year | Topic | Method | Key Findings | Relevance
• Create folders by theme (e.g., Motivation, Learning Strategies, Stress Management).
• As you read, ask: “Where can I plug this into my outline?” If the answer is “nowhere,” set it aside.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Including everything to make your chapter longer.
🚫 Copy-pasting summaries without synthesis.
🚫 Citing outdated or low-quality sources.
🚫 Judging by titles only. Read abstracts and conclusions at the very least.

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