Reviewing, Citing,

and Synthesizing
Related Literature
 “
Quotations are commonly printed as a
means of inspiration and to invoke
philosophical thoughts from the reader.
 Objectives
◆ 1. Select relevant literature
◆ 2. Cite related literature
using standard style (APA,
MLA or Chicago Manual of
Style)
◆ 3. Synthesize information
from relevant literature
◆ 4. Write coherent review of
literature
◆ 5. Follow ethical standards
in writing related literature
◆ 6. Illustrate and explain
conceptual framework
◆ 7. Define terms used in
study (contextually and
operationally)
◆ 8. List research hypotheses
◆ 9. Present written review of
related literature and
conceptual framework
 1.
Purpose of the Review of
Related Literature
The review of related literature…

◆relates your study to a larger body of literature.

◆sets the context of the study and explains the

significance of your research problem.
By reviewing prior work…

◆you improve your knowledge and understanding of your

topic
◆know about developments in your research area
◆learn from what has and what has not been studied before
and familiarize yourself with the theories and
methodologies not yet used in previous studies
The review of related literature is…

◆useful in identifying areas that can be improved and

knowledge gaps that still needs to be addressed

◆a guide in the planning and implementation of their own

work
Jump-point
The point where your research starts and your
first opportunity to immerse in your topic.
In both qualitative and quantitative research, the
review of related literature…

◆serves as the foundation for the development of the

theoretical and the conceptual framework of the study.
◆Since may quantitative research projects are geared
toward theory and/or model testing, it is important that
the literature review sufficiently establishes the basis for
the theoretical and/or conceptual framework.
◆The review of related literature should adequately review
theories, especially those from which the hypothesis will
be derived.
 “
Selection of available documents (both published and
unpublished) on the topic which contain information, ideas,
data and evidence written from a particular standpoint to fullfil
certain aims to express certain views on the nature of the topic
and how it is investigated, and the effective evaluation of these
documents in relation to the research being propose (Hart,
1998).
 2.
Identifying Related
Literature
◆A researcher may use personal and non-scholarly sources
in developing their topics. However, this practice is no
longer acceptable when conducting the review of related
literature.
◆Researchers are expected to locate, read, and synthesize
literature primarily from reputable sources.
 HIGHLY REPUTABLE SOURCES

◆Books ◆Conference papers

◆Academic journals ◆Reports of research

organizations
◆Dissertations

◆Government documents
◆The first step in narrowing potential sources is through an
electronic database search.

◆It provides you links and access to a vast and varied

number of materials. Instead of using search engines
Google, Bing, or Yahoo, which will include plenty of
non-reputable articles, make use Google Scholar,
JSTOR, or EBSCOHOST too.
 POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN EVALUATING
INTERNET SOURCES

◆Author

◆Purpose

◆Reliability

◆Objectivity
 3.
GENERAL GUIDE OF
REPUTABLE SOURCES
 SCHOLARLY JOURNAL

◆often take the form of literature reviews, book reviews, or

research studies

◆Most are written in a highly technical manner since most

authors are professional researchers or members of the
academe and are organized to be the most accurate and
objective.

◆ search engines – JSTOR, Project MUSE, EBSCOHOST,

ProQUEST
 BOOKS

◆Range from textbooks, novels, nonfiction, picture books,

and even children’s books

◆Limit your reference materials to books that are either

readers; collection of scholarly and expert essays, annual
research books containing studies and reports, and others
created by reputable sources
 BOOKS

◆Reader – an edited and synthesized collection of original

research reports

◆Compendium – contains articles and essays organized

around a particular topic

◆Annual reports – have a volume number specific for a

certain year and underline a general research area
 THESIS AND DISSERTATIONS

◆achieved in the library of their schools or universities

 GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS

◆Include censuses, economic reports, policy reviews, or

updates of the current situation in the country.
 POLICY REPORTS AND PRESENTED PAPERS

◆Local sources include the Asian Institute of Management

and Philippine Institute of Development Studies

◆Some of these presentations are converted into written

conference proceedings or published articles
 4.
HOW TO REVIEW
LITERATURE
◆ The key to writing an effective review is working
around concepts, arguments, methods that surfaced
across literature.

◆ Identifying the common themes present in the materials

you gathered is a good start.
◆ Keep note cards containing the similarities you observed
in your reference materials and visualize how these fit
together.

◆ To link the literature to your own research, identify at

least three research questions among the articles you
have selected.

◆ Keep an eye for the data or the variables used.

 5.
ELEMENTS OF THE
REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE
◆ Introduction

◆ Topic 1 or the independent variable

◆ Topic 2 or the dependent variable

◆ Topic 3 or the link between these variables through previously

conducted studies or the intervening variables

◆ Summary
 INTRODUCTION

◆ Briefly describes the content of the section and how it is

organized
TOPIC 1 (INDEPENDET VARIABLE), TOPIC 2 (DEPENDENT
VARIABLE AND TOPIC 3 (INTERVENING VARIABLE)

◆ Topic 1 must review scholarly literature rated to the

dependent variable

◆ Procedure for Topic 2 is the same as the topic 1.

◆ If applicable, review the intervening variable and

explain how and why the independent and the dependent
variable related.
 SUMMARY

◆ Highlights the major themes, briefly explain the major

and seminal studies on your topic, identify the gap that
needs to be addressed, and explain how your proposal
study will contribute or address the gap.
 6.
ASSIGNMENT
 DIRECTIONS

◆ Note-taking is a skill used in many situations. It can be

applied inside the classroom, library, surfing the net and
the like. Select an article from newspaper, magazine and
books. Make a note card about it.
 NOTE CARD

Topic:

Text:

Author(s):
Title of the Book:
Publications:
Page