Is the documentation of a comprehensive review of the

published work on relevant problem area.

The write up needs to:
 convince the reader that the researcher is knowledgeable
about the problem area and has done the background work
 the theoretical framework will be built on work already
done and will add to the foundation of the existing
knowledge
 Comprehensive
Comprehensiveliterature
literaturereview
review

In which subject What are the What have been the

areas has the main main research
topic been perspectives on questions?
studied?
this topic in
previous What are the main
What are the key research? conclusions on previous
concepts in this area? research in this area?

Coherent synthesis of
Who are How is this topic past and present Which existing
these approached by others? research in the Where are the gaps in work could be
“others”? literature? extended?
domain of study

Where is existing
Which aspects of this knowledge “thin”?
Which work are of most
discussions? relevance to my study? What are the key areas
Which work is
of debate in this area? subject to
challenge?
Which sub-
Which writers?
themes?
1. To select research relevant to my study
2. To outline existing knowledge in my field
3. To evaluate existing research relevant to my field
4. To identify research methods relevant to my study
5. To identify gaps in the research
6. To Identify more appropriate research methods
7. To position my study in the context of previous research
8. To express views about the topic
9. To indicate how my topic is to be investigated
10. To justify my study
Identify the key journals relevant data
base/journal your area of study. Some important
ones that will be of use to most are:
 Ebsco host
 J Stor
 Emerald
Get as many relevant articles as possible.
Read all and highlight points of interest or
importance.
Note down key issues that are arising across the
articles.
Plan the writing up of the literature review around
these key points.
Keep a record of all citations and quotations -
keep a running reference section. It is easy to
forget where you read something.
Keep reading while you are writing to add to
the literature review.
Take note of key references / citations made by
authors you are reading. Check these out.
References must be current unless it is a
classical study.
Back up all points except motherhood
statements. eg: ‘Databases are widely used
in business today’ accepted as true by most
people.
‘Most organisations use SQL’ not
necessarily true, need to support this
statement with proof from the literature.
If in doubt provide evidence from the
literature.
To provide evidence either use quotations
from a reliable source or follow statement
with citation e.g. ‘Most organizations use
SQL’ (Smith 1998, Lo 1992)
When citing a book as evidence, include
the page number even if you are not
quoting from the book.
The failure of information systems is often
caused by poor communication. (Bresko
1993, 41)
1. Chronological – historical or developmental
context

2. Classical Approach – major writings

3. Topical or thematic – categories or concepts

4. General-Specific – broad – increasingly

specific

5. Combined
You are expected to use the APA style for
referencing.
Example
 Norman, D. A. (1990). The Design of Everyday
Things, Communication Journal, 22(2),222-228.
 Pieratti, D. D. (1995). How the Process and
Organization Can Help or Hinder Adding Value,
Journal of the Society for Technical Communication ,
42(1), 61-68.