Here's a breakdown to help you determine appropriate length:
* Undergraduate papers (e.g., essays, term papers): A literature review might occupy 20-30% of the total paper length. For a 10-page paper, this would mean 2-3 pages.
* Master's theses: The literature review section might constitute 20-40% of the entire thesis, depending on the field and the research question.
* Doctoral dissertations: Literature reviews in dissertations can be significantly longer, sometimes exceeding 50 pages or even more, depending on the complexity of the research area and the depth of the review needed to establish a solid foundation for original research.
Instead of focusing solely on word count or page numbers, consider these factors:
* Scope of the research question: A broad research question will require a more extensive literature review than a narrow, focused one.
* Existing scholarship: Is there a vast body of research on the topic, or is it a relatively unexplored area? A densely researched area necessitates a longer review.
* Paper or thesis type: A systematic review demands a much longer and more rigorous literature review than a shorter research paper that only needs to provide context.
* Specific requirements: Always adhere to any length guidelines explicitly provided by your professor or institution.
In summary, the length of your literature review should be proportionate to your overall work and adequately support your research. It’s better to focus on comprehensiveness and relevance rather than aiming for an arbitrary word or page count. Prioritize clarity, critical analysis, and a coherent narrative that leads logically to your research question and methodology.