WEEK 3 LESSON 4

Course Learning Outcome:

At the end of this module, the students are expected to:

1. Enumerate materials and sources to be used in Related Literature and

Studies;
2. Enumerate Importance, Purpose, and Functions of Related Literature and
Studies.

Related Literature and Studies

Related literature is composed of discussion of facts and principles to which the present
study deals is related. For instance, if the present study deals with drug addiction,
literature to be reviewed or surveyed should be composed of materials that deal with
drug addiction. These materials are usually printed and found in book, encyclopedias,
professional journals, magazines, newspapers, and other publications.

These materials are classified as

1. Local, if printed in the Philippines; and

2. Foreign, if printed in other lands.

Related studies, on the hand, are studies, inquiries, or investigations already conducted
to which the present proposed study is related or has some bearing or similarity. They
are usually unpublished materials such as manuscripts, theses, and dissertations.

Importance, Purpose, and Functions of Related Literature and Studies

A survey or review of related literature and studies is very important because such
reviewed literature and studies serve as a foundation of the proposed study. This is
because related literature and studies guide the researcher in pursuing his research
venture. Reviewed literature and studies help or guide the researcher in the following
ways:

1. They help or guide the researcher in searching for or selecting a better research
problem or topic. By reviewing related materials, a replication of a similar problem
may be found better than the problem already chosen. Replication is the study of a
research problem already conducted but in another place.
2. They help the investigator understand his topic for research better. Reviewing related
literature and studies may clarify vague points about his problem.

3. They ensure that there will be no duplication of other studies. There is duplication if
an investigation already made is conducted again in the same locale using practically
the same respondents. This is avoided if a survey of related literature and studies be
made first.

4. They help and guide the researcher in locating more sources of related information.
This is because the bibliography of a study already conducted indicates references
about similar studies.

5. They help and guide the researcher in making his research design especially in

a. The formulation of specific questions to be researched on:

b. The formulation of assumption and hypotheses if there should be any;

c. The formulation of conceptual framework;

d. The selection and application of sampling techniques;

e. The selection and application of the methods of research;

f. The selection and/or preparation and validation of research instruments for

gathering data;

g. The selection and application of statistical procedures;

h. The analysis, organization, presentation, and interpretation of data;

i. The making of the summary of implications for the whole study;

j. The formulation of the summary of findings,

conclusions, and recommendations.

6. They help and guide the researcher in making comparison between his findings with
the findings of other researcher on similar studies with the end in view of formulating
generalizations or principles which are the contributions of the study to the fund of
knowledge.

Characteristics of Related Literature and Studies

There are certain characteristics of related materials that make them of true value.
Among these characteristics are:
1. The surveyed materials must be as recent as possible. This is important because
of the rapid social, economic, scientific, and technological changes. Findings several
years ago may be of little value today because of the fast changing life style of the
people.

2. Materials reviewed must be objective and unbiased. Some materials are

extremely or subtly one-sided, either political, or religious, etc. comparison with these
materials cannot be made logically and validly. Distorted generalizations may result.

3. Materials surveyed must be relevant to the study. Only materials that have some
bearing or similarity to the research problem at hand should be reviewed.

4. Surveyed materials must have been based upon genuinely original and true facts
or data to make them valid and reliable. There are cases where fictitious data are
supplied just to complete a research report (thesis or dissertation). Of course, this kind
of deception is hard to detect and to prove. Thus, this is a real problem to honest
researchers.

5. Reviewed materials must not be too few nor too many. They must only be
sufficient enough to give insight into the research problem or to indicate the nature of
the present investigation.

Sources of Related Literature and Studies

The sources of related literature and studies may include the following:

1. Books, encyclopedias, Almanacs, and other similar references.

2. Articles published in professional journals, magazines, periodicals, newspapers, and

other publications.

3. Manuscripts, monographs, memoirs, speeches, letters, and diaries.

4. Unpublished theses and dissertations.

5. The Constitution, and laws and statues of the land.

6. Bulletins, circulars and orders emanating from government offices and departments,
especially from the Office of the President of the Philippines and the Department of
Education.
7. Records of schools, public and private, especially reports of their activities.

8. Reports from seminars, educational or otherwise.

9. Official reports of all kinds, educational, social economic, scientific, technological,
political, etc. from the government and other entities.

Where to locate the Sources of Related Literature and Studies

Generally, the sources of related literature and studies are located in the following
places:

1. Libraries, either government, school, or private libraries.

2. Government and private offices.

3. The National Library.

4. The Library of the Department of Education.

The last two are rich in depositories of related materials, particularly unpublished
master’s theses and doctoral dissertation.

REFERENCES:

Aquino, Guadencio V., Essentials of Research and Thesis Writing. Quezon City:
Alemars-Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 1974

Babble, Earl. The Practice of Social Research. Fourth Edition. Belmont, California:
Wadsworth Publishing Company, Inc. 1986

Berelson, Bernard. Content Analysis in Communication Research. Glencoe, Illinois:

Free Press, 1952

Good, Carter V. Introduction to Educational Research. New York: Meredith Publishing

Company, Inc.,1963.

Good, Carter V. and Douglas E. Scates. Methods of Research: Educational,

Psychological, Sociological. Manila: Appleton-Century-Croft, Inc., 1972. (Reprinted by
National Book Store).
Treece, Eleonor Walters and James William Treece, Jr. The Elements of Research in
Nursing. Saint Louis: C.V. Mosby Company, Inc., 1973. (Reprinted by Phoenix Press,
Inc.)

Treece, Eleonor Walters and James William Treece, Jr. The Elements of Research in
Nursing. Second Edition. Saint Louis: C.V. Mosby Company, Inc., 1977. (Reprinted by
Phoenix Press, Inc.)

Sanchez, Custodiosa A. Methods and Techniques of Research, Manila:Rex Book Store

Inc., 1980.