Reviewing the literature
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Transcript of Reviewing the literature
Purposes of the Review
Requisites for Doing the review
Guidelines in Doing the Review
Prepared by: Cheryl M. Asia
Examining a body of literature toward the
answer to a research question
Literature means writings and a body of
literature refers to all the published writings
in a particular style on a particular subject.
In research, a body of literature is a collection
of published information and data relevant to
a research question.
A literature review is an evaluative report of studies found in the literature related to your selected area. The review should describe, summarize, evaluate and clarify this literature. It should give a theoretical basis for the research and help you determine the nature of your own research. Select a limited number of works that are central to your area rather than trying to collect a large number of works that are not as closely connected to your topic area.
A literature review goes beyond the search for information and includes the identification and articulation of relationships between the literature and your field of research.
The form of the literature review may vary with different types of studies, the basic purposes remain constant:
Provide a context for the research
Justify the research
Ensure the research hasn't been done before (or that it is not just a "replication study")
Show where the research fits into the existing body of knowledge
Enable the researcher to learn from previous theory on the subject
Illustrate how the subject has been studied previously
Highlight flaws in previous research
Outline gaps in previous research
Show that the work is adding to the understanding and knowledge of the field
Help refine, refocus or even change the topic
Reviewing the literature is not an easy
task for it involves a systematic identification,
search, and critical analysis of existing
conceptual and research literature related to
the researcher’s topic or problem. Conceptual
literature refers to ideas, concepts and
theories propounded by experts as contained
in books, periodicals and other standard
preferences. On the other hand, research
literature consists or empirical studies
conducted by individuals and professionals on a
given research or topic.
Patience, persistence, and industry are
essential qualities a researcher must posses
when doing the review. This is because he has
to spend time spotting books, journals, theses,
dissertations, and research projects needed in
completing the review of literature.
Good knowledge of library techniques,
tools and skills is also one of the requirements
for doing the review.
The use of the internet is also one of the
requisite skills that a researcher has to equip
himself with.
-there are some guidelines that you as
a researcher have to consider when doing
the review of related literature and studies.