LESSON 3:

Selecting
Relevant
Literature
z

INTRODUCTION:

 Selecting relevant literature will help you to

segregate the known and the unknown information
in a topic. Some research undertakings are
conducted to disprove, redefine or even replicate
what is already established. Others seek to explore
an unfamiliar concept or idea. Thus, doing a
literature review clarifies your research focus within
the context of your field.
 Literature,
z in the context of research, refers to a
collection of published information or materials
on a particular area of research or topic, such
as books and journal articles of academic
value.
 z

 On the other hand, a literature review is a

process of studying what has already been
written on a particular topic. The process
involves identifying, locating, and analyzing
documents that contain information related
to a researcher’s research topic (Avilla,
2016).
 z

 Likewise, Aveyard (2010)

defined it as a "comprehensive
study and interpretation of
literature that addresses a
specific topic."
 Prieto, et. al (2017) listed down the purposes for
z
which literature review is done:
 GOALS OF LITERATURE REVIEW

1. To demonstrate a familiarity with a body of

knowledge and establish credibility. A good
review increases a reader’s confidence in
the researcher’s professional competence,
ability and background.
 Prieto, et. al (2017) listed down the purposes for
z
which literature review is done:

 GOALS OF LITERATURE REVIEW

2. To show the path of prior research and how a

current project is linked to it. A good review places
a research project in a context and demonstrates
its relevance by making connections to a body of
knowledge.
 Prieto, et. al (2017) listed down the purposes for
z
which literature review is done:

 GOALS OF LITERATURE REVIEW

3. To integrate and summarize what is known
in an area. A good review points out areas
where prior studies agree, where they disagree
and where major questions remain. It also
indicates the directions for future research.
 Prieto, et. al (2017) listed down the purposes for
z
which literature review is done:

 GOALS OF LITERATURE REVIEW

4. To learn from others and stimulate new ideas. A
good review identifies blind alleys and suggests
hypotheses for replication and gain new insights.
 z

 As you look for literature to incorporate in

your review, you have to eye the most
valuable and pertinent information to your
study. Hence, you do not list everything
you find especially resources that are not
collected by an academic library.
The following
z
are the five basic criteria for
evaluating information from any sources:
The following
z
are the five basic criteria for
evaluating information from any sources:
 z

 If most of the questions above

garnered a positive response then
most probably, your information source
at hand is adequate to support your
research topic.