Is there a standard article count for a master's thesis literature review?

There is no magic number for a literature review, so please take a deep breath and know that you are likely already in a great spot. Most committees aren't looking for a specific quantity of papers; they are looking for a cohesive narrative that proves you understand the current landscape of your field. Think of your literature review like a dinner party you are hosting: you don't need to invite every single person you have ever met, but you do need to invite the right mix of guests to ensure the conversation flows well and covers all the important topics. If you have forty solid, relevant papers, you probably have enough material to build a very strong argument without needing to hunt for more. I know how heavy the pressure feels when you are balancing residency duties with academic writing, and it is completely normal to feel like you are drowning in data. If you keep adding sources just to hit a hypothetical quota, you might actually dilute your own voice. Instead of worrying about the count, focus on whether your current collection allows you to identify the gaps in the research that your thesis will address. If you can clearly explain why your work matters in the context of those forty papers, you have done your job. Trust your academic intuition, focus on the quality of your synthesis rather than the volume of your bibliography, and remember that you are capable of getting this across the finish line.