SELECTING RELEVANT

LITERATURE
CHAPTER 4: LESSON 1
WHAT IS A LITERATURE REVIEW?

A LITERATURE REVIEW provides an overview of what has

been written about a specific topic. The review of literature
includes practically all the information and data which are
authoritative and relevant to the topic of the study as in the case
of research and similar scholarly undertakings.
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF LITERATURE

 Journal Articles
 Monographs
 Computerized Databases
 Conference Proceedings
 Theses and Dissertations
 Empirical Studies
 Government Reports and Reports from others bodies
 Historical Records
 Statistical Handbooks
WHY DO A LITERATURE REVIEW?

 To indicate the research that has been conducted in the area before, to
ensure that you’re not “reinventing the wheel”.
 To demonstrate that you’re aware of important and recent studies in your
study area. This way, you ensure that you have not missed an important
study that makes your research idea seem less brilliant than you first
imagined.
 To ensure that you have not missed literature detailing a novel way for
you to conduct your study, or pointing you to a data-collection tool that is
most appropriate for your study.
CONTINUATION…

To explain the theoretical background to your proposed research project.

 To demonstrate that your research idea is based on a good
understanding of previous research in the area, and it also demonstrates
your ability to highlight the existing gap or any disagreements in the
research area that your study addresses.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD LITERATURE
REVIEW
1) Materials must be as recent as possible. Sources to be looked into must
give information that are attuned to the time frame indicated in the
study.
2) Materials must be as objective and unbiased as possible. Avoid data and
materials which are extremely one-sided.
3) Materials must be relevant to the study.
4) Materials must not be too few nor too many. The availability of the
materials will also be a determining factor.
TYPES OF SOURCES

1) PRIMARY SOURCES – publications in which researchers report the

results of their studies. Findings are communicated by the authors directly to
the readers. Example of this type of source are journals which are usually
published monthly, quarterly or bi-annually.
2) SECONDARY SOURCES – publications in which authors describe the
work of others. Textbook is a familiar example of this type. Other examples
used are encyclopedias, research reviews and yearbooks.