Paper 4 : Research Methodology

Literature review and

research problem
Literature review

➤ Provides an overview of current knowledge

➤ Five key steps:
1. Search for relevant literature
2. Evaluate sources
3. Identify themes, debates and gaps
4. Outline the structure
5. Write your literature review
Literature review

● Helps maximize relevance, originality, generalizability, and impact

● Provides context, informs methodology and maximizes innovation
● Avoids duplicative research and ensures that professional standards
are met
Literature review

1. Using library
2. Computerized searches
3. Evaluating literature
Literature review

Information Resources:
● PubMed
● Web of Science
● Education Resource Information Center (ERIC)
● Cumulative Index of Nursing & Allied Health (CINAHL)
● Scopus
● PsycINFO
● Google Scholar
Literature review

You can use boolean operators to help narrow down your search:
Literature review

Software packages designed to manage bibliographic references.

Research problem

● A research problem is a specific issue, difficulty, contradiction, or gap in

knowledge that you will aim to address in your research
● Provides direction and defines the purpose(s) of any particular
research
Example: What effect does using Facebook everyday have on
teenagers?
Importance of research problem

● Preliminary step in conducting a research study

● Helps in determining the research objective
● Helps to identify each and every step of the research process
● Helps to design the research process
● Lays the foundation for research
Sources of research problem

● Personal experience
● Practical experience
● Critical appraisal of literature
● Previous research
● Brainstorming
● Consultations with experts
Considerations in selecting a research problem

● Interest
● Magnitude
● Level of expertise
● Relevance
● Availability of data
● Ethical issues
Steps to formulate a research problem

1. Identify the Broad Study Area

2. Dissect the Broad Study Area into Sub-areas
3. Mark-up your Interest
4. Study Research Questions
5. Set Out Objectives
6. Assess your Objectives
7. Check Back
References

● Lauren A. Maggio, Justin L. Sewell, and Anthony R. Artino, Jr. The Literature Review:
A Foundation for High-Quality Medical Education Research.
● Augustine E. Akhidime. The importance and development of research problem.
● https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
● https://pubrica.com/academy/research/
Thank you