EDUC.

200

Methods of Research
DR. IMELDA A. TANGALIN
Part-Time Professor
 CHAPTER 14: HOW TO WRITE

CHAPTER 2
Chapter 2:

Related Literature and

Studies
Guidelines in Citing Related
Literature Studies

A.Characteristics of the Materials Cited

B. Ways of Citing Related Literature and Studies
C. Ways to Cite
D. Quoting a Material
A. Characteristics of the Materials Cited

• The materials must be as recent as possible. This

is important because of the rapid social, political,
scientific, and technological changes. Discoveries in
historical and archaeological research have also
changed some historical facts.
• Materials must be as objective and unbiased
as possible. Some materials are extremely one
sided, either politically or religiously biased.
These should be avoided.

• Materials must be relevant to the study. Only

materials that have some similarity to or
bearing on the problem researched on, should
be cited.
• Materials must not be too few but not too many.
Materials must be sufficient enough to give the
researcher insight into his problem or to indicate
the nature of the present investigation. The
number may also depend upon the availability of
related materials. This is especially a problem with
pioneering studies. Naturally, there are few
related materials or even none at all.
Ordinarily, about ten will do for an
undergraduate thesis, from fifteen to twenty-
five may do for a master’s thesis and from
twenty and above for a doctoral dissertation,
depending upon their availability and depth and
length of discussions. However, the numbers are
only suggestive but not imperative.
B. Ways of Citing Related Literature and Studies
1.By author or writer. In this method the ideas,
facts, or principles, although they have the same meaning,
are explained or discussed separately and cited in the
footnote with their respective authors or writers.
Example:
According to Enriquez, praise helps much in learning, etc.,
etc.
Maglaque found out that praise is an important factor in
learning, etc., etc.
Footnotes:
1. Pedro Enriquez. The Dynamics of Teaching and
Learning. Manila: Canlaon Publishing Company, Inc.,
1981,p.102.

2. Juan Maglaque, “Factors Affecting Children’s

Learning in Pag-asa District,” (Unpublished Master’s
Thesis, San Gregorio College, San Gregorio
City,1984.)
2. By topic. In this case, if different authors or writers
have the same opinion about the same topic, the
topic is discussed and cited under the names of the
authors or writers. This is a summary of their
opinions. This is to avoid separate and long
discussions of the same topic.

Example:
It has been found out that praise is an important aid
in the learning of children.
Footnote:

¹Pedro Enriquez, The Dynamics of Teaching and

Learning, Manila: Canlaon Publishing Company,
Inc., 1981, p. 102 and Juan Maglaque, “Factors
Affecting Children’s Learning in Pagasa District.”
(Unpublished Maters’s Thesis,” San Gregorio
College, San Gregorio City, 1984).
(Note: These are fictitious names)
3. Chronological. Related materials may
also be cited chronologically, that is, according to
the year they were written. Materials which
were written earlier should be cited first before
those which were written later. This can be done
especially when citation is by author or writer. If
citation is by topic, chronological citation can be
done in the footnote.
C. Ways to Cite
• It should be emphasized that only the major findings,
ideas, generalizations, principles, or conclusions in
related materials relevant to the problem under
investigation should be discussed in this chapter.
• Generally, such findings, ideas, generalizations,
principles, or conclusions are summarized,
paraphrased, or synthesized.
D. Quoting a Material
• A material may be quoted if the idea conveyed is
so perfectly stated or it is controversial and it is
not too long
• It is written single spaced with wider margins at
the left and right sides of the paper but without
any quotation marks.
Example:
Suppose the following is a quotation: Said
Enriquez,
Praise is an important factor in children’s
learning. It encourages them to study their lesson
harder. Praise, however, should be given very
appropriately.
Footnote:
Ibid
Footnote – an ancillary piece of information
printed at the bottom of the page.

Ibid - adverb
- in the same source (used to save space in
textual references to a quoted work
which has been mentioned in a previous
reference.
 Justification of the Study
It should be made clear that there is no duplication of
other studies. The present inquiry may only be
replication of another study. It should be stressed also
that inspite of similar studies, the present study is still
necessary to find out if the findings of studies in other
places are also true in the locale of the present study.
There may also be a need to continue with the
present investigation to affirm or negate the findings
of other inquiries about the same research problem
or topic so the generalizations or principles may be
formulated. These generalizations and principles
would be the contributions of the present
investigation together with other studies to fund of
knowledge. This is one of the more important
purpose of research: the contribution that it can give
to the fund of knowledge.
 Questions for Study and Discussion

1. What should be the characteristics of related literature

and studies reviewed?
2. In what ways may citations be made?
3. How is a material qouted?
4. How do you justify your study?
5. What to cite?
Alyssa Mae Dagos Genelyn Papa
April Jimenez Givilyn Ordiales
Azenith Nese Vilar Gladys Andal
Irenie Pabulayan Ma. Andrea Ingente