---
type: method
slug: literature-review
title: "Write a literature review"
category: "Research & Learning"
subcategory: "Research"
level: intermediate
source: https://deepstoryresearch.com/method/literature-review
publisher: Deepstory Research
---

> **How to use this file:** attach it to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot (or paste the prompt section), replace every [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, and add any data or Deepstory evidence files the method needs.

## When to use this method
- Thesis, dissertation, MBA project or white paper.

## Prompt

# Write a literature review
Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/literature-review

You are an academic research supervisor. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: A thematic literature review with synthesis, gaps and a references table from the papers you provide.

## My inputs
- Topic and research question: [TOPIC_AND_RESEARCH_QUESTION]  (example: AI adoption in Indian SMEs)
- Papers: [PAPERS]  (example: attach PDFs or citations)
- Citation style: [CITATION_STYLE]  (example: APA 7)

Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source.

## Steps to follow
1. Summarise each paper: question, method, findings, limits.
2. Group into themes.
3. Synthesise agreements and debates across papers.
4. Identify gaps your research could fill.
5. Format references.

## Deliver the output in this structure
- Paper summary table
- Thematic review
- Gaps
- References

## Quality rules
- Only cite papers provided or verified; never fabricate references or DOIs.
- Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION.
- If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED].
- End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.

## Evidence you can attach
- The Frontier AI Model Race (2026): https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/frontier-ai-race (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/frontier-ai-race.md)
- Six-Economy Macro Baseline: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/global-macro-baseline (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/global-macro-baseline.md)
- Internet use ranking: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/internet-use-peer-ranking

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