How to Write Chapter Two (Literature Review): A Complete Guide for Nigerian Students

Chapter Two, commonly known as the Literature Review, is one of the most critical chapters in any research project. It demonstrates your understanding of previous studies, highlights what other researchers have discovered, identifies gaps in existing knowledge, and establishes the foundation for your own study.

A well-written literature review shows that your research is not conducted in isolation but builds on existing academic knowledge. Whether you are writing an ND, HND, B.Sc., PGD, Master’s, or PhD research project, mastering Chapter Two is essential for producing quality research.

This guide explains the purpose, structure, and best practices for writing an effective literature review.

What is Chapter Two (Literature Review)?

Chapter Two is the section where the researcher reviews existing scholarly works related to the research topic. These may include:

Journal articles
Books
Conference papers
Government publications
Institutional reports
Theses and dissertations
Credible online academic sources

Rather than simply summarizing previous studies, Chapter Two critically analyzes and compares them to show how your study contributes to the existing body of knowledge.

Objectives of the Literature Review

A good literature review aims to:

Explain important concepts related to the study.
Review theories that support the research.
Examine findings from previous studies.
Identify gaps in existing literature.
Justify the need for the current research.
Build a strong academic foundation for the study.

Components of Chapter Two

Although the format varies across institutions, Chapter Two typically includes:

Conceptual Review
Theoretical Framework
Empirical Review
Summary of Literature Reviewed
Research Gap (sometimes included in the summary)

Let’s discuss each section in detail.

1. Conceptual Review

The conceptual review explains the major concepts or variables used in the research.

For example, if your topic is:

“Influence of Social Media on Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students,”

your conceptual review may discuss:

Social Media
Academic Performance
Online Learning
Digital Literacy
Student Engagement

Each concept should be clearly defined using scholarly sources before explaining how it relates to your study.

Tips

Define concepts using current academic references.
Compare different definitions from various authors.
Explain which definition best suits your research.
Arrange concepts logically.

2. Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework discusses the theory or theories that support your study.

A theory helps explain why certain relationships exist between variables.

For example:

Research Topic	Possible Theory
Social Media and Academic Performance	Social Learning Theory
Entrepreneurship Education	Human Capital Theory
Technology Adoption	Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
Student Motivation	Self-Determination Theory
Online Learning	Constructivist Learning Theory

When discussing a theory, explain:

The origin of the theory.
The major assumptions.
Key principles.
Strengths and limitations.
Why it is suitable for your study.

3. Empirical Review

The empirical review summarizes previous studies related to your research topic.

For each study, discuss:

Author(s)
Year of publication
Research objective
Research design
Population and sample
Method of data analysis
Major findings
Relevance to your study

Instead of listing studies one after another, compare and contrast their findings where appropriate.

Example

Adebayo (2024) investigated the influence of social media on academic performance among undergraduate students using a descriptive survey design. The study found that moderate use of educational social media platforms improved learning outcomes. However, excessive recreational use negatively affected academic performance.

After reviewing several studies, identify similarities, differences, and unresolved issues.

4. Summary of Literature Reviewed

This section summarizes the key points discussed throughout Chapter Two.

It should briefly explain:

The major concepts reviewed.
The theories examined.
Findings from previous studies.
Areas where researchers agree or disagree.
Existing knowledge gaps.
How your study will address those gaps.

The summary should naturally lead readers into Chapter Three (Research Methodology).

5. Research Gap

A research gap refers to an area that previous studies have not adequately addressed.

Your research gap may arise because:

Previous studies focused on different populations.
They were conducted in different locations.
They used different research methods.
Findings were inconsistent.
Recent developments have not been examined.

Identifying a clear research gap is one of the strongest justifications for conducting your study.

Sources to Use in Chapter Two

Use credible academic sources such as:

Peer-reviewed journal articles
Academic books
University theses
Government reports
International organization publications
Professional association reports

Avoid relying heavily on blogs, Wikipedia, or non-academic websites unless specifically relevant and credible.

Tips for Writing an Excellent Literature Review

To write a high-quality Chapter Two:

Use recent scholarly references whenever possible.
Organize ideas logically rather than chronologically.
Compare different authors’ viewpoints.
Critically analyze studies instead of merely summarizing them.
Ensure every reviewed study relates directly to your research topic.
Use proper citation and referencing styles required by your institution (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).
Maintain consistency in writing and formatting.

Common Mistakes Students Make

Many students weaken their literature review by:

Copying large sections from previous projects.
Using outdated or irrelevant references.
Writing only summaries without critical analysis.
Failing to identify a research gap.
Including studies unrelated to the research topic.
Ignoring theoretical foundations.
Using unreliable online sources.

Avoid these mistakes to produce a stronger and more convincing literature review.

Final Thoughts

Chapter Two is more than a collection of references—it is a critical evaluation of existing knowledge that demonstrates your understanding of the research area. A well-written literature review strengthens your research by showing where your study fits within the broader academic conversation and how it contributes new knowledge.

By carefully reviewing relevant concepts, selecting appropriate theories, analyzing previous studies, and identifying meaningful research gaps, you create a solid foundation for the methodology and findings presented in the later chapters of your research project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of Chapter Two in a research project?

The purpose of Chapter Two is to review existing literature related to the research topic, identify gaps in knowledge, and provide the theoretical and conceptual foundation for the study.

2. What are the main sections of Chapter Two?

Most institutions require:

Conceptual Review
Theoretical Framework
Empirical Review
Summary of Literature Reviewed
Research Gap (where applicable)

3. How many references should I use in Chapter Two?

There is no fixed number, but undergraduate projects often include 20–40 quality references, while postgraduate research may require significantly more. Always follow your institution’s guidelines.

4. Can I use internet sources in my literature review?

Yes, but prioritize peer-reviewed journals, academic books, government publications, and reputable institutional reports. Avoid relying on unverified websites.

5. What is the difference between a literature review and a summary?

A summary simply restates what previous authors have written. A literature review goes further by comparing, evaluating, synthesizing, and critically analyzing existing studies to demonstrate how your research addresses an identified gap.