REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE (CHAPTER 2)

CHAPTER 2 IN RESEARCH PROPOSAL LITERATURE

• It contains: • Literature in this context consists of:
➢ Review of Selected/Related Literature ➢ Books
• The purpose of Chapter 2 is to provide the reader with a o Encyclopedia
comprehensive review of the literature related to the o Yearbooks andText Books
problem under investigation. o Reference Books
• The review of related literature should greatly expand ➢ Journals
upon the introduction and background information o Published monthly, quarterly, half-yearly
presented in Chapter 1. or annually
➢ Reports
SYNTHESIS o Reports of commissions appointed by
• In synthesis, you need to combine the information from Govt.
those multiple sources and add your own analysis of the o Seminar reports
literature. ➢ Research Dissertations and Thesis
• This means that each of your paragraphs will include ➢ Newspapers
multiple sources and citations, as well as your own ideas ➢ Microforms: Audio and Video Tapes
and voice.
PURPOSE OF A LITERATURE REVIEW
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE (RRL) • Establish a theoretical framework for your topic/subject
• Also known as Literature Review area
• A critical analysis of a segment of a published body of • Define key terms, definitions, and terminology
knowledge through summary, classification, and • Identify studies, models, case studies etc. that is
comparison of prior research studies, reviews of literature, supporting your topic
and theoretical articles. • Define/establish your area of study, i.e. your research
• A review of related literature (RRL) is a detailed review of topic.
existing literature related to the topic of a thesis or
dissertation. TYPES OF LITERATURE REVIEW
➢ In an RRL, you talk about knowledge and • On the purpose of research, there are three main types of
findings from existing literature relevant to your literature review including:
topic. 1. Evaluative Review
• A survey of scholarly knowledge on a topic. 2. Explorative Review
• A literature review is a comprehensive summary of 3. Instrumental Review
previous research on a topic.
• The literature review surveys scholarly articles, books, and EVALUATIVE REVIEW
other sources relevant to a particular area of research. • A type of literature review which focuses on providing a
• The review should enumerate, describe, summarize, discussion of the literature in terms of its coverage and
objectively evaluate and clarify this previous research. contribution to knowledge in particular area.
• It should give a theoretical base for the research and help • It is often used to directly compare research findings of a
you (the author) determine the nature of your research. project with other when findings are directly available.
• The literature review acknowledges the work of previous • A type of literature review which focus on providing a
researchers; in so doing, assures the reader that your discussion of the literature in terms of its coverage and
work has been well conceived. contribution to knowledge in particular area.
• It is assumed that by mentioning a previous work in the • It is often used to directly compare research findings of a
field of study, that the author has read, evaluated, and project with other when findings are directly available.
assimiliated that work into the work at hand.
EXPLORATIVE REVIEW
KEY POINTS OF A LITERATURE REVIEW • This type of literature review which is seeking to find out
• It includes the following: what exists in the academic literature in terms of theory,
1. Theory empirical evidence, and research methods as they pertain
2. Methodology to specific research topic and its related wider subject
3. Research Gap area.
• It is also used to sharpen, focus, and identify research
THEORY questions that remain unanswered in the specific topic.
• Tell me what the research says • Unlike a synoptic literature review, the purpose here is to
provide a broad approach to the topic area.
METHODOLOGY • The aim is breadth rather than depth and to get a general
feel for the size of the topic area.
• Tell me how the research was carried out
INSTRUMENTAL REVIEW
RESEARCH GAP
• It is seeking to find out how to conduct some research on
• Tell me what is missing or the gap that research intends to a highly specific research problem.
fill. • It is not designed to identify the state of current knowledge
• This section leads to the reason why you have carried out in an area but to identify the best way to carry out a
the research project presented in this report. research without incurring unnecessary and unavoidable
cost.
IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE REVIEW • This is where the literature is used exclusively as a source
• It describes how the proposed research is related to prior of information on how to conduct some research on a
research in statistics. highly specific research problem.
• It shows the originality and relevance of your research
problem. THE PROCESS OF LITERATURE REVIEW
➢ Specifically, your research is different from other • A literature review can be divided into two process:
statisticians. 1. The search for material and resources
• It justifies your proposed methodology. a. What to review and purpose of review
• It demonstrates your preparedness to complete the b. Literature search procedure
research. c. Planning of research work

Page 1 of 4
 2. Writing literature review
a. Note-taking • Previous study • For clarifying
PURPOSE/S OF A LITERATURE REVIEW in the field and concepts and
Operationalism
• Find out what information already exists in your field of of Concepts
journals knowing
research measurement
• Identify gaps in literature techniques
• Find other people working in your field
• Identify major seminal works
• Identify main methodologies and research techniques • Illustrated • To develop
• Identify main ideas, conclusions, and theories and books on alternative
establish similarities and differences methodology designs
• Provide a context for your own research Preparation of of research • For
• Show relationships between previous studies or theories Research • Thesis formulating
Proposals hypothesis
REMEMBER! and deciding
- Literature review is conscious, focused and directed sample
scanning of literature for specified purposes design, etc.
- It is a combination of summary and synthesis of
relevant literature that follows a logical pattern
• Illustrated • For gaining
books on thorough
Construction
methodology knowledge of
of Tools for
of research the process of
Collection of
Data • Thesis tools and
measurement
techniques

Drafting • Journals • To take notes

Theoretical • Text books and compile
Chapters and • Reference bibliography
Theory Parts books
of Other • Reports on
Chapters subject matter

LITERATURE SEARCH PROCEDURE

• Literature search procedure involves a series of steps
which aims to identify the sources of literature.

THE PROCESS OF FINDING LITERATURE

1. Request learned professors, librarians, or other familiar to
suggest relevant references.
2. Find out whether any bibliography already prepared on the
subject is available in the library.
WHAT TO REVIEW
3. Consult bibliographies in the these on the topic and other
• The kinds of literature to be revived at the various stage of related topics.
the research process and specific purposes of the review 4. Examine periodicals, monographic, reports, conference
are indicated below:
proceedings and other materials including microfilms
available.
STEPS IN KINDS OF
RESEARCH LITERATURE TO BE PURPOSE OF REVIEW 5. Consult reference cited in the books & articles already
PROCESS REVIEWED located. Each book will be a means for locating additional
references.
• Source • To gain 6. Consult the abstract journal on the subject
materials, preliminary 7. See the book review pages in the daily newspapers & in
encyclopedia, orientation and the journals.
textbooks background
• Latest knowledge SOURCES OF LITERATURE
publications on • To gain up-to- • The sources of literature can be divided into three:
the discipline date 1. Primary Literature Sources
Identification • Theses in the knowledge in 2. Secondary Literature Sources
and Selection selected the field
3. Tertiary Literature Sources
of Problem discipline • To know work • The different categories of literature sources represents
already done the flow of information from original source.
on the subject
• To identify
PRIMARY LITERATURE SOURCES
research gaps
• These are the first occurrence of a piece of work.
in the field
• Primary literature reports original findings.
• To avoid
duplication • Have a specialized format
➢ It is often consisting of an introduction,
methodology, results, discussion, and its
conclusions
• Previous study • To become
• Use discipline-specific language
in the field and familiar with
journals appropriate • It includes:
Formulation of
methodology ➢ Reports
the Selected
and research ➢ Conference Proceedings
Problem
techniques ➢ Theses
relevant to the • Other examples:
study. ➢ Scientific research article
➢ Journals

Page 2 of 4
 ➢ Patents 2. To determine how to record what is gathered
REPORTS from a published material.
• Includes market research reports, government reports, 3. To set up as orderly recording or note taking
etc. system
TO DECIDE WHAT INFORMATION IS USEFUL AND
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS WHAT IS NOT USEFUL
• Conference proceedings referred to any symposia are • The researcher should draw up a preliminary outline of the
often published as unique titles with in journals, or as topic with reference to objectives of study.
books. most conference will have a very specific theme. • It serve as a guide to take above decision.

THESES TO DETERMINE HOW TO RECORD WHAT IS

• These are the research papers contains details of GATHERED FROM A PUBLISHED MATERIAL
research done in a particular topic. • Should it be noted down as verbatim or paraphrased
• It is a good source of detailed information and further
reference. TO SET UP AS ORDERLY RECORDING OR NOTE
TAKING SYSTEM
SECONDARY LITERATURE SOURCES • In this decision the researcher must be guided by the
• Secondary sources such as books & journals are requirement of a good recording system.
subsequent publication of primary literature. • These requirements are:
• These publications are aimed at wider audience. ➢ Recording system should facilitate ready location
• Secondary literature uses, reports, or builds on primary of the recorded information when required.
literature. ➢ It should allow for more flexible handling and
• Secondary sources contain useful material that you can organizing information.
use as background information when you are learning ➢ All notes relating to a particular concept of a topic
about a topic. should available together.
• Use language understandable by the general public • All these requirements are meet with card system.
• It includes:
➢ Journals NOTE TAKING
➢ Books
• Note taking means recording of information.
➢ Newspapers
• The suitable method of note taking is the use of cards.
• Other examples:
➢ Popular science magazine articles • The recording system involves uses of 2 sets of cards:
➢ Book reviews 1. Source Cards (3” x 5”)
➢ Annotated bibliographies 2. Note Cards (5” x 8”)
➢ Newspaper articles
SOURCE CARDS
JOURNALS • Also known as index card or system card
• Journals are also known as periodicals, magazines, and • Consists of heavy paper stock cut to a standard size, used
are published on a regular basis. for recording and storing bibliographic information.
• Examples: • It was invented by Carl Linnaeus at around 1760.
➢ Journal of management studies, people • It serves 2 Purposes:
management etc. 1. Provide documentary information for foot notes to
be given in report.
BOOKS 2. Used for compiling bibliography to be furnished at
the end of report.
• Books are written for specific audiences.
• The material in books are presented in a more ordered
and accessible manner than in journals. STRUCTURE OF SOURCE CARD
• Source card had a definite structure. It has a code
structure to in order to relate them to the corresponding
NEWS PAPERS
note cards.
• Newspapers are good source of topical events,
• On the left hand top corner, the letter B or J or R marker
developments within the business and government as
according to the type of reference which a card
well as recent statistical information.
represents.
➢ B = Book
TERTIARY LITERATURE SOURCES ➢ J = Journal
• Also called as search tools ➢ R = Report
• They are designed either to help to locate primary and • On the right hand top corner, another code is to be
secondary literature or to introduce a topic. marked and it’s a combination of letter & number which
• They include indexes and abstracts as well as begins with c.
encyclopedias and bibliographies. ➢ The same code has to be marked on the
• Consist of collections that compile information from corresponding notes card for ready reference of
primary or secondary sources; example can be reference each note.
books • For each reference, a separate card is used. and written
• Presents summaries or condensed versions of materials only in one side.
usually with references to primary or secondary sources. • Cards are arranged in the alphabetical order of the
• They can be a good place to look up facts or get a general authors according to the type of reference.
overview of a subject. • The recording of bibliographic information in the source
• Examples: card should be made in proper bibliographic format. Its
➢ Subject catalogues of libraries varies for book and article.
➢ List of books and publishers bulletins

PLANNING THE REVIEW WORK

• One can identify many references relating to the selected
topic; the problem now is to go through the references one
after the other and point out exact information relevant to
study.
• This planning involves 3 Steps:
1. To decide what information is useful and what is
not useful.

Page 3 of 4
 FOR A BOOK FOR ARTICLES
• Two formats are used in popular. They are as below: • There are also 2 forms used:
a) Author’s Name (starting with last name), the title a) Author’s Name, “title of the article”, the journal
of the book, place of publication: the publisher’s name, place. Publisher’s name, volume, issue
name, year no., date, pages
o Example: b) Author’s Name, “title of the article”, the journal
✓ Krishnaswami,o.r, methodology name, publisher’s name, place, volume, issue
of research in social science, no., date, pages
Mumbai: himalaya publishing
house, 1993
b) Author’s Name (starting with last name), the title
of the book, the publisher’s name, place, year
o Example:
✓ Krishnaswami, o.r,methodology
of research in social science,
Himalaya publishing house,
Mumbai,1993
• If a work has 3 or more authors, the abbreviation “et al”
meaning “and others” may be used after the first author.
➢ Example:
o Koontz, harold, et al., Management.
New Delhi: McGraw Hill International
Book Company, 1980
• If publication is an edited one, use the abbreviation “ed”
after the name.
NOTE CARD
• Information extracted from a printed source is recorded on
the note cards.
• There should be a single fact or idea on each card.

STRUCTURE OF THE NOTE CARD

• On the left hand top corner the source reference code is
marked.
• On the right hand top corner the number of researcher’s
proposed chapter to which the information is related is
entered.
• On the space between top edge and first horizontal
line, the title of broad theme is written & in the next space
the title of the specific idea is marked.
• The idea or fact extracted from concerned reference is
recorded after above step.

Page 4 of 4