Learning From

Others and
Reviewing the
Literature
 Selecting Relevant Literature
 Citing Related Literature using Standard
Style
 Synthesizing Information from Relevant
Literature
 Writing Coherent Review of Literature
 Presenting Written Review of Literature

Topics
Literature Review – it provides an
overview of what has been written
about a specific topic
 Journal articles  Empirical studies
 Monographs  Government reports
 Computerized databases  Historical records
 Conference proceedings  Statistical handbooks
 Theses and dissertations

Selecting Relevant Literature

Why do a Literature Review?
• To indicate the research that has
been conducted in the area before.
• To demonstrate that you are aware
of important and recent studies in
your study area

Selecting Relevant Literature

Why do a Literature Review?
• To explain the theoretical
background to your proposed
research project
• To demonstrate your ability to
critically analyse the literature in
your study area.
Selecting Relevant Literature
 Kinds of Literature Review
1. Traditional
*also called as narrative literature review
*provides a quick overview of current
studies
*helps explain why your study is
important
*can help you identify areas that need
further research Selecting Relevant Literature
 Kinds of Literature Review
2. Integrative
*synthesizes findings from different
approaches
3. Syntactic
*synthesizes high quality empirical
information to answer a given research
problem
Selecting Relevant Literature
 Kinds of Literature Review

4. Scoping
*involves a broad research question
that explores the current evidence base

Selecting Relevant Literature

 Characteristics of a Good Literature
Review
 As recent as possible
 As objective and unbiased as possible
 Relevant to the study
 Not too few nor too many

Selecting Relevant Literature

 Types of Sources
 Primary Sources
*researchers report the results of
their studies
 Secondary Sources
*authors describe the work of
others
Selecting Relevant Literature
What to cite?
 Books
 Magazines
 Newspapers
 Electronic materials
 Journals
 Film
Citing Related Literature using
Standard Style
Referencing Style
 APA
 MLA
 HARVARD
 CHICAGO AND TURABIAN

Citing Related Literature using

Standard Style
Ways of Citing RL
1. By author or writer
Ex. According to Felipe (2015)……………

2. By topic
Ex. It has been found out that ………………
(Felipe, 2015)

Citing Related Literature using

Standard Style
Ways of Citing RL

 Only the major findings, ideas,

generalizations, principles or conclusions
in related materials relevant to the
problem must be cited.

Citing Related Literature using

Standard Style
Sample Citations
BOOKS

Last name, First name (Year). Book Title. Place: Publisher.

Yin, Robert K. (2011).Qualitative Research From Start to

Finish. New York: The Guilford Press.

Citing Related Literature using

Standard Style
Sample Citations
WEBSITES (for particular document)

Author, (date). Title of the document. Retrieved

from http://xxxxx.

Citing Related Literature using

Standard Style
Sample Citations

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Author’s Last name, First Initial (screen Name)(Year,

Month, Day of upload)Title of Video. Retrieved from
http://(url).

Citing Related Literature using

Standard Style
Sample Citations

MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Last Name, First Initial (year). Title of article.

Citing Related Literature using

Standard Style
Sample Citations

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Last Name, First Initial (year). Title of article. Title of

Journal, Volume(number), pages.

Citing Related Literature using

Standard Style
Synthesis
 A discussion that draws on one or more
sources
 Select ideas and information from each
source that will make you achieve your
purpose
 Bringing together of materials from
different sources and a creation of an
integrated whole
Synthesizing Information from
Relevant Literature
Types of Synthesis
1. Explanatory synthesis
*to present facts in a reasonably
objective manner

2. Argument synthesis
*present your own point of view with
the support of relevant facts presented in
logical manner
Synthesizing Information from
Relevant Literature
Categories of Sources
1. Documents – written or printed materials,
can be published or unpublished, intended
for private or public consumption, maybe
original works or copies

Examples: books, artworks, cartoons, circulars,

records, diaries, notebooks, annual reports

Synthesizing Information from

Relevant Literature
Categories of Sources
2. Numerical Records – numerical data in
printed form

Examples: test scores, attendance figures,

census reports

Synthesizing Information from

Relevant Literature
Categories of Sources

3. Oral Statements – includes stories, myths,

tales, legends, chants, songs, and other forms
of oral expressions

Synthesizing Information from

Relevant Literature
Categories of Sources
4. Relics – any object where physical or visual
characteristics can provide some information
from the past

Examples: furniture, artwork, clothing,

buildings or equipment

Synthesizing Information from

Relevant Literature
How to Write Synthesis
1. Consider your purpose in writing

Synthesizing Information from

Relevant Literature