How To Write A Literature Review - Here's What We've Learned from 10,000+ Dissertations

In this Q&A session, Dr David Phair and Dr Matthew Courtney from Grad Coach break down the key steps in the dissertation process, from building a realistic timeline to structuring your literature review, frameworks, hypotheses, and problem statement. Whether you’re working on a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods study, this session will help you approach your dissertation more systematically and avoid common mistakes that slow students down. 🎓 In this video, we cover: How to move forward after identifying your research gap How to create a realistic dissertation timeline What conceptual and theoretical frameworks actually are Common mistakes students make with frameworks and hypotheses How to write a concise problem statement Choosing and validating research instruments How to structure and outline your literature review ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 - What to do after identifying a research gap 00:02 - Building a realistic dissertation timeline 00:06 - What is a conceptual framework? 00:10 - Do you need a conceptual or theoretical framework? 00:12 - Common framework mistakes students make 00:15 - How to write a strong dissertation title 00:17 - Writing a problem statement for mixed methods research 00:20 - Do qualitative and mixed methods studies need hypotheses? 00:24 - Choosing and validating research instruments 00:30 - How to outline your literature review effectively 00:35 - Final dissertation advice and encouragement Need hands-on support with your dissertation or thesis? Grad Coach’s private coaching team can help you finish your project with greater confidence and less stress. 👉 Book a free consultation here: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/