LITERATURE REVIEW

The Guide to Future Research

 Literature Review

o The term “the literature” is the body of scholarly work on a

particular topic.
o A literature review is a scholarly paper, which includes the
current knowledge including substantive findings, as well as
theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular
topic. 
o A literature review is a formal analysis and critique. It surveys,
highlights, summarizes, synthesizes, interprets, and critiques this
body of work.
o Literature reviews are a key part of proposals, research papers
and reports.
 • Develops background of research
Understan • Explore what has been done and
d the what needs to be done
Topic • Expose gap and position research

Develop • Identify concepts relating to it,

Own Potential relationships between
them and to formulate
Need and Ideas/ researchable hypotheses.
Purpose Insights • Identify the variables of the study
of • Broaden the researchers
Literature perspective
• Identify appropriate methodology,
Review Design research design, methods of
the Study measuring concepts and
techniques of analysis
• Identify data sources
• Increases credibility of research
Judge the • Generate interest in readers
Research • Assess the quality of work done.
• Exhibit proficiency over research
area.
Process of Literature Review
Approaches in Writing a Review
 Synthesis Approach

• Synthesizing is key to a literature review.

• A synthesis identifies and interprets themes, trends
and relationships.
• It reveals similarities and differences and shows how
the literature advances the research area.
• A thematic organization can make synthesizing easier.
 Silo Approach

o Students new to writing literature reviews often use a

“silo approach” instead of a synthesis.
o They organize their literature reviews by study instead
of by theme or trend.
 SILO
Each study discussed
separately. Comparisons
not made and relationships
not drawn.
No relationship drawn
between the student’s own
research and the research
discussed in the lit. review.
Literature review organized
chronologically or even
randomly.
Individual studies referred
to only once.
SYNTHESIS
No study discussed in
isolation. Study findings
and/or methods compared,
and relationships drawn.
The student’s own research
at the centre of the
discussion, analysis and
comparison of all studies.
Literature review organized
by the themes most
relevant for the study.
Individual studies referred
to several times under
different themes.
CITATION OF REFERENCES
In Text Citations
Reference
DEVELOPMENT OF
QUESTIONNAIRE