Writing a literature review can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re balancing coursework, work commitments, and family responsibilities in Nairobi or other parts of Kenya. Whether you’re working on your undergraduate project, master’s thesis, or doctoral dissertation at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Mount Kenya University, or any other Kenyan institution, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of crafting an excellent literature review.
What is a Literature Review?
A literature review is a critical analysis and synthesis of existing research on your specific topic. It’s not simply a summary of everything that’s been written, but rather a thoughtful examination that demonstrates your understanding of the field, identifies gaps in existing knowledge, and positions your research within the broader academic conversation.
Think of your literature review as building a bridge between what researchers already know and what you’re planning to discover. It shows your supervisors and examiners that you’ve done your homework and understand where your work fits in the larger scholarly landscape.
Why Literature Reviews Matter in Kenyan Universities
Kenyan universities including the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Mount Kenya University (MKU), Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Strathmore University, and JKUAT all place significant emphasis on quality literature reviews. Your literature review typically accounts for a substantial portion of your overall grade and serves several critical purposes:
Academic Foundation: It demonstrates your mastery of the subject area and ability to engage with scholarly discourse at an advanced level.
Research Justification: By identifying gaps in existing research, you justify why your study is necessary and what unique contribution it will make.
Methodological Guidance: Reviewing how others conducted research helps you design better methodologies for your own study.
Theoretical Framework: The literature review helps you identify and articulate the theoretical lenses through which you’ll examine your research problem.
The 7-Step Process for Writing an Outstanding Literature Review
Step 1: Define Your Research Question and Scope
Before diving into databases and journals, you need absolute clarity on what you’re researching. Many students make the mistake of starting their literature search too broadly, which leads to information overload and wasted time.
Start with a focused research question: Instead of “social media and education,” narrow it down to something like “How does WhatsApp usage affect academic collaboration among undergraduate students at Kenyan public universities?”
Set clear boundaries for your review:
- Time period (e.g., studies from 2015-2025)
- Geographic focus (Kenya, East Africa, or global studies)
- Specific aspects of your topic
- Types of studies you’ll include (quantitative, qualitative, or both)
Pro tip for Kenyan students: Many supervisors at Kenyan universities prefer literature reviews that include both international perspectives and locally relevant research. Don’t ignore valuable studies conducted at Kenyan institutions.
Step 2: Develop an Effective Search Strategy
Your search strategy determines the quality of sources you’ll find. Here’s how to search like a pro:
Use Multiple Databases:
Kenyan university students have access to excellent databases through KLISC (Kenya Library and Information Services Consortium) and individual university subscriptions:
- Google Scholar: Free and comprehensive, perfect for getting started
- JSTOR: Excellent for humanities and social sciences
- PubMed: Essential for health sciences and medical research
- EBSCOhost: Broad multidisciplinary coverage
- ProQuest: Comprehensive dissertation database
- African Journals Online (AJOL): Specifically for African research
- Science Direct: Strong in science, technology, and medicine
- Web of Science: High-impact research across disciplines
Access tip: If you’re studying at Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, or other major institutions, visit your university library website to access subscribed databases through the proxy server. Many students don’t realize they have free access to premium databases worth thousands of dollars.
Craft Effective Search Terms:
Use Boolean operators to refine your searches:
- AND: narrows results (e.g., “mobile learning AND Kenya”)
- OR: expands results (e.g., “thesis OR dissertation”)
- NOT: excludes terms (e.g., “social media NOT Facebook”)
Example search for Kenyan context: (“research methodology” OR “research methods”) AND (Kenya OR “East Africa”) AND (university OR “higher education”)
Step 3: Evaluate and Select Quality Sources
Not all sources are created equal. Here’s what separates excellent literature reviews from mediocre ones:
Prioritize Peer-Reviewed Sources:
Focus on scholarly journal articles that have undergone rigorous peer review. While books, reports, and conference papers have their place, peer-reviewed articles should form the backbone of your literature review.
Assess Source Quality:
Ask yourself these critical questions:
- Is this published in a reputable journal?
- Who are the authors and what are their credentials?
- Is the methodology sound and clearly explained?
- Are the findings supported by robust evidence?
- How many times has this study been cited by others?
Balance Seminal Works with Recent Research:
Include landmark studies that established key theories in your field, even if they’re older. However, the majority of your sources should be recent (within the last 5-7 years) to show you’re engaging with current scholarship. For fast-moving fields like technology or public health, prioritize even more recent sources.
Include Locally Relevant Research:
Don’t ignore studies conducted by Kenyan researchers or at Kenyan institutions. These often provide contextually relevant insights that international studies may miss. Check repositories like:
- Kenyatta University Repository
- University of Nairobi Library
- East African Journal Portal
Common mistake to avoid: Using too many low-quality sources like blog posts, Wikipedia, or non-academic websites will seriously undermine your literature review’s credibility. Save those for initial background reading only.
Step 4: Read Strategically and Take Effective Notes
Reading dozens of research articles can be overwhelming. Here’s how to read efficiently:
Use the Three-Pass Reading Method:
First Pass (5-10 minutes per article):
- Read the abstract, introduction, and conclusion
- Skim headings and subheadings
- Decide if the article is worth reading in full
Second Pass (30-60 minutes):
- Read the full article but skip detailed methodology unless it’s particularly relevant
- Take notes on main arguments, key findings, and methodology
- Identify how this connects to other readings
Third Pass (only for most important articles):
- Deep, critical reading
- Evaluate methodology, data analysis, and conclusions
- Note specific quotes or data you might use
Organize Your Notes Systematically:
Create a system that works for you. Many successful students use:
Excel or Google Sheets: Create columns for author, year, title, key findings, methodology, strengths, weaknesses, and relevance to your research.
Reference Management Software:
- Zotero: Free and excellent for organizing sources
- Mendeley: Great for PDF management and annotation
- EndNote: Comprehensive but has a learning curve
Note-Taking Template:
For each source, record:
- Full citation details
- Research question/objectives
- Methodology used
- Key findings
- Theoretical framework
- Limitations identified
- How it relates to your research
- Notable quotes (with page numbers)
Pro tip: Don’t wait until you’ve read everything to start organizing. Organize as you go to avoid becoming overwhelmed later.
Step 5: Identify Themes and Structure Your Review
Once you’ve read and organized your sources, it’s time to identify patterns and determine how to structure your review.
Look for Patterns Across Your Sources:
- What themes keep appearing?
- Where do researchers agree or disagree?
- What methodologies are commonly used?
- What gaps or contradictions exist?
- How has thinking evolved over time?
Choose an Organizational Structure:
Thematic Organization (Most Common): Organize by major themes or concepts rather than by individual studies.
Example structure for a study on mobile learning in Kenya:
- Theoretical frameworks for mobile learning
- Infrastructure challenges in Kenya
- Student attitudes and adoption
- Impact on learning outcomes
- Implementation challenges
Chronological Organization: Trace how research on your topic has evolved over time. Use this when showing theoretical development is important.
Example: Evolution of research on corruption in Kenya (1990-2025)
Methodological Organization: Group studies by research approach when methodology is a key consideration.
Example sections:
- Quantitative studies
- Qualitative studies
- Mixed-methods approaches
Theoretical Organization: Organize around competing theories or theoretical frameworks.
For Kenyan students: Thematic organization is generally preferred by supervisors at most Kenyan universities as it demonstrates your ability to synthesize across sources rather than just summarizing them individually.
Step 6: Write with Synthesis, Not Just Summary
This is where many students struggle. Your literature review should synthesize sources, not just summarize them one by one.
What NOT to Do (Descriptive Approach):
“Smith (2020) studied mobile learning in Kenya and found that students preferred WhatsApp. Jones (2021) also researched mobile learning and discovered that data costs were a barrier. Brown (2022) investigated mobile learning adoption…”
This reads like a list and doesn’t show critical thinking.
What TO Do (Analytical Approach):
“Research on mobile learning adoption in Kenya reveals a complex picture shaped by both enthusiasm and practical constraints. While students demonstrate strong interest in mobile learning platforms, particularly messaging applications like WhatsApp for group discussions and resource sharing, significant barriers remain. Multiple studies identify data costs as a primary obstacle, with students from lower-income backgrounds particularly affected. However, the picture is more nuanced than simple adoption resistance. Recent evidence suggests that when institutions provide WiFi infrastructure and data bundles, usage increases dramatically, indicating that the barrier is economic rather than attitudinal.”
Notice how this version:
- Connects multiple sources together
- Identifies patterns and relationships
- Shows critical analysis
- Maintains your own voice
- Moves the argument forward
Key Writing Strategies:
Use Strong Topic Sentences: Each paragraph should begin with your own analytical statement, not a citation.
Show Relationships Between Studies: Use transition phrases like:
- “Building on this work…”
- “In contrast to earlier findings…”
- “Supporting this conclusion…”
- “However, more recent research suggests…”
- “This finding aligns with…”
Maintain Your Critical Voice: Don’t let citations dominate. Your voice should guide the reader through the literature.
Compare and Contrast: Explicitly discuss where researchers agree and disagree, and offer your perspective on these debates.
Step 7: Write a Compelling Introduction and Conclusion
Introduction Elements:
Your literature review introduction should include:
- Context setting: Briefly introduce the research area and its importance
- Scope definition: Clearly state what the review covers and doesn’t cover
- Search strategy: Briefly mention how you identified sources
- Organization preview: Tell readers how the review is structured
Example opening:
“Mobile learning has emerged as a transformative educational approach in Kenya, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic’s acceleration of digital education. This literature review examines research on mobile learning adoption and effectiveness in Kenyan higher education institutions published between 2018 and 2025. The review synthesizes findings from 45 peer-reviewed studies identified through systematic searches of JSTOR, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online. The analysis is organized thematically around four key areas: technological infrastructure, pedagogical approaches, student engagement, and learning outcomes.”
Conclusion Elements:
Your conclusion should:
- Summarize key themes: What are the main takeaways from the literature?
- Identify gaps: What hasn’t been adequately addressed?
- Highlight contradictions: Where do findings conflict?
- State implications: What does this mean for your research?
- Preview your contribution: How will your study address identified gaps?
10 Common Literature Review Mistakes to Avoid
Understanding common pitfalls can save you hours of revision:
1. Starting to Write Too Early
Many students begin writing before they’ve finished reading and digesting the literature. This inevitably leads to extensive rewriting. Complete your core reading first, identify themes, create an outline, then start writing.
2. Over-Relying on Low-Quality Sources
Using blog posts, Wikipedia, or non-peer-reviewed sources undermines your credibility. While these can help you understand a topic initially, your literature review should cite scholarly sources almost exclusively.
3. Ignoring Seminal Works
Every field has landmark studies that established key theories or findings. Not citing these classics suggests you haven’t fully immersed yourself in the literature. Use Google Scholar to identify highly-cited works in your area.
4. Including Too Much or Too Little Detail
Finding the right balance is challenging. Don’t include every minor detail from every study, but do provide enough information for readers to understand key findings and how they relate to your research.
5. Poor Organization and Structure
A literature review that jumps randomly between topics confuses readers and fails to build a coherent argument. Use subheadings, clear topic sentences, and logical transitions to guide your reader.
6. Merely Summarizing Instead of Synthesizing
Listing what each author found doesn’t constitute a literature review. You must show connections, identify patterns, compare findings, and build an analytical narrative.
7. Neglecting to Show Relationships Between Studies
Failing to explicitly discuss how studies relate to each other misses the point of a literature review. Use comparative language and show the scholarly conversation.
8. Using Emotional or Subjective Language
Academic writing requires objectivity. Avoid phrases like “this amazing study” or “unfortunately, the researcher…” Stick to analytical language that evaluates evidence rather than expressing feelings.
9. Including Irrelevant Studies
Just because a study is well-done doesn’t mean it belongs in your review. Every source should directly relate to your research question. Be ruthlessly selective.
10. Not Critically Evaluating Methodology
Many students accept published findings at face value without examining the research methodology. Strong literature reviews evaluate how studies were conducted and note methodological limitations.
Literature Review Format Requirements for Kenyan Universities
Different universities have specific formatting requirements. Always check your institution’s guidelines, but here are common standards:
General Formatting:
- Font: Times New Roman, 12pt
- Spacing: Double-spaced (some universities prefer 1.5 spacing)
- Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
- Alignment: Justified
- Page numbers: Bottom center or top right
Length Guidelines:
- Undergraduate project: 5-10 pages
- Master’s thesis: 15-25 pages
- Doctoral dissertation: 30-50 pages
Citation Style:
Most Kenyan universities use:
- APA 7th Edition: Most common for social sciences, education, psychology
- Harvard Referencing: Common in business and some social sciences
- Chicago Style: Common in history and humanities
- Vancouver: Medical and health sciences
Structure for Kenyan Universities:
Most institutions expect:
- Introduction/Background
- Body (organized thematically, chronologically, or methodologically)
- Summary/Conclusion
- Research Gaps Identified
Check specific requirements for:
- University of Nairobi format guidelines
- Kenyatta University thesis manual
- Mount Kenya University (MKU) guidelines
- CUEA format requirements
Practical Tips for Kenyan Students
Managing Limited Resources:
Data Costs: Download articles when connected to university WiFi or at internet cafes rather than using mobile data. Many databases allow bulk downloads.
Library Access: Take maximum advantage of your university library’s subscribed databases. Librarians can help you access resources you didn’t know were available.
Power Outages: Save your work frequently and use battery backup or write during times when power is more reliable.
Internet Connectivity: When internet is unreliable, download PDF copies of articles to read offline. Use reference management software that works offline.
Time Management:
Many Kenyan students juggle full-time work, family responsibilities, and studies. Here’s how to stay on track:
Set Realistic Goals: Aim to read and summarize 2-3 articles per day rather than trying to do everything at once.
Create a Schedule: Dedicate specific times for literature review work, even if it’s just one hour in the morning before work.
Use Weekends Strategically: Weekends might be your best time for deep reading and writing.
Break Tasks Down: Instead of “write literature review,” break it into: find 10 sources, read 5 articles, write one section, etc.
Seek Help When Needed:
University Resources:
- Supervisor meetings: Come prepared with specific questions
- Library workshops: Many universities offer research skills training
- Writing centers: Get feedback on drafts
- Peer study groups: Discuss literature with classmates
Professional Support:
If you’re struggling with your literature review despite your best efforts, consider professional research consulting services. Tobit Research Consulting specializes in helping Kenyan students with:
- Literature search strategies
- Source evaluation and selection
- Writing and synthesis guidance
- Format compliance for your specific university
- Statistical analysis support
Using Technology and AI Tools Ethically
Modern tools can help streamline your literature review process when used ethically:
Reference Management:
- Zotero: Free, open-source, excellent browser integration
- Mendeley: Good for PDF annotation and organization
- EndNote: Comprehensive but expensive
AI-Assisted Tools:
Tools like ChatGPT can help with certain tasks, but use them ethically:
Appropriate uses:
- Explaining complex concepts you don’t understand
- Generating search keywords
- Creating initial outlines
- Identifying research gaps
- Improving grammar in your own writing
Inappropriate uses:
- Writing your literature review for you
- Generating citations (AI often creates fake references)
- Paraphrasing sources without reading them
- Replacing your own critical thinking
Important: Your literature review must be your own work. Supervisors can detect AI-generated text, and academic integrity violations can have serious consequences.
Quality Checklist: Is Your Literature Review Ready?
Before submitting, use this checklist:
Content Quality:
- ☐ Covers all major themes in the research area
- ☐ Includes seminal works and recent research
- ☐ Identifies clear gaps in existing research
- ☐ Shows synthesis rather than just summary
- ☐ Critically evaluates methodology and findings
- ☐ Relates everything back to your research question
Organization and Structure:
- ☐ Has clear introduction stating scope and organization
- ☐ Uses logical organizational structure (thematic, chronological, etc.)
- ☐ Includes subheadings that reflect major themes
- ☐ Contains smooth transitions between paragraphs
- ☐ Has strong conclusion identifying gaps and implications
- ☐ Flows logically from start to finish
Writing Quality:
- ☐ Uses academic, objective tone throughout
- ☐ Maintains your own voice as the narrator
- ☐ Avoids excessive direct quotations
- ☐ Shows relationships between studies explicitly
- ☐ Free from grammatical and spelling errors
- ☐ Sentences are clear and concise
Technical Requirements:
- ☐ Meets required word count/page length
- ☐ Follows university formatting guidelines
- ☐ Uses consistent citation style throughout
- ☐ All citations in text appear in reference list
- ☐ Reference list is properly formatted
- ☐ Includes only sources actually cited in the text
Academic Integrity:
- ☐ All sources properly cited
- ☐ Paraphrasing is in your own words
- ☐ Direct quotes are marked with quotation marks
- ☐ No plagiarism (check with Turnitin if available)
- ☐ Your own work, not AI-generated content
Conclusion: Your Path to Literature Review Success
Writing an excellent literature review requires time, strategy, and persistence. As a student at a Kenyan university, you face unique challenges including limited access to some resources, time constraints, and sometimes unreliable internet connectivity. However, with the systematic approach outlined in this guide, you can produce a literature review that:
✓ Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of your research area ✓ Identifies meaningful gaps in existing research ✓ Synthesizes sources into a coherent analytical narrative ✓ Meets all formatting and academic standards ✓ Positions your research as a valuable contribution to the field
Remember that your literature review is not just a bureaucratic requirement—it’s the foundation that makes your own research possible. The time you invest now in understanding existing research will pay dividends throughout your entire project.
Key takeaways:
- Start with a clear, focused research question
- Use multiple databases and develop effective search strategies
- Read strategically and take organized notes
- Synthesize sources rather than just summarizing them
- Structure your review logically around themes
- Avoid common mistakes like starting too early or using low-quality sources
- Follow your university’s specific formatting requirements
- Use available resources including your supervisor, librarians, and professional support
With dedication and the right approach, you’ll create a literature review that your supervisors will appreciate and that genuinely advances your understanding of your research topic.
Need Expert Help with Your Literature Review?
At Tobit Research Consulting, we understand the unique challenges faced by students at Kenyan universities. Whether you’re at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Mount Kenya University, CUEA, Strathmore, or any other institution, we provide comprehensive literature review support including:
- Strategic literature search guidance
- Source evaluation and selection assistance
- Synthesis and writing coaching
- University-specific format compliance
- Citation and referencing support
- Quality review and feedback
Our team of experienced research consultants has helped hundreds of students across Kenya successfully complete their literature reviews and graduate with distinction.
Ready to elevate your literature review? Visit Tobit Research Consulting or contact us today for a free consultation.
Looking for more research help? Check out our guides on How to Write a Seminar Paper, 15 ChatGPT Prompts for Academic Research, and SPSS Reliability and Validity Testing.
