Chapter 2

Review of Literature
Review of Literature
The first step to identify
problems/topics to consider
Sometimes one cannot easily see
what problem to work on, but when
one reads a lot about a certain issue
or topic, the realization that a problem
exist could surface out.
This section gives the extensive
readings related to the study
To review is really to “look again”. When a
researcher has a problem in mind, it is
important to “look again” as to how other
people see the problem and how they
solve the problem. When one does a
review of related literature, he/she
examines what has been studied about this
problem, what has been done and said
about the problem by different authors and
researchers. The researcher can then have
a point of reference for the present study,
what the researcher intends to do, and
what new knowledge the researcher could
possibly generate from what has been
done.
Benefits derived from the Review of
Literature
a) finding investigations similar to the
present study and viewing the methodology
and design used;
(b) finding methods of dealing with
common problems and situations;
(c) finding useful sources of data;
(d) introducing important and useful
personalities;
(e) providing opportunities to the present
study in historical and associational
perspectives;
( f) providing new ideas and
approaches;
(g) help to evaluate the research
efforts by providing a comparison;
(h) increasing confidence in choice of
selected topics by viewing the
interests of others;
(i) helping out with the analysis and
interpretation of data and findings;
(j) giving support or “back-up” when
analyzing results
Importance of the RL
(1) it helps and guides the researcher in searching
or selecting better research problems and topics;
(2) it helps one to conceptualize and understand
the topic better; (
3) it ensures that there is no duplication of the
same study;
(4) it helps in locating more sources of related
information;
(5) it provides ideas in the type of research to be
done and in making research designs;
(6) it guides the researcher in making
comparisons between his/her findings with
those of the previous researchers;
(7) it aids in the analysis of findings and
formulating generalizations and principles;
(8) it provides information on the status quo
of knowledge in the area of the study;
(9) it assists the researcher by pointing out
the strengths and weaknesses of the
existing research;
(10) it helps avoid errors that plagued
researchers on studying similar problems.
Things to consider in RL
: (1) find a study that is similar to the one
you are thinking of doing, and check on the
literature review to give you a quick start
for your own study;
(2) include all major relevant constructs in
your study so that you can have a wide
choice for your review;
(3) find and select appropriate instrument
for your study so you can use, adapt or
pattern your own instrument;
(4) anticipate common problems in the
research context to avoid common pitfalls
Suggestions for writing RL
: (1) record the problem at the top
sheet of the paper,
(b) record each sub problems in full,
serially, across the page,
(c) study each sub problem,
separating out the key words,
(d) record the keywords or phrases in
a column under the sub problem,
(e) go to the library to consult the indexes,
bibliographies and abstracts to find for
books, articles, etc. armed with the
“identified keywords” of the problem,
(f) read…read…read., (
g) arm oneself with index cards to put the
bibliographic entry and the annotated
bibliography,
(h) always remember that the search
should be “related and relevant to the
study”.
Literature Review could be
organized
Thematically
Topically
According to the variables used
Logically according to the set
problems
chronologically
historically
Guidelines for good Literature
review
(1) research paper must be written in the
formal style, which is the third person;
(2) avoid highly descriptive writing style,
not appropriate for a scholarly work;
(3) use the active voice for direct impact
and easy understanding;
(4) avoid the use of jargon, use familiar
terms;
(5) language should be in neutral gender;
(6) give a clear report and clarify
contradictions;
(7) use short and clear sentences;
(8) use correct grammar and proofread the
work;
(9) never plagiarize; give credit to the
original author of ideas;
(10) pay attention to structure and form of
published work which are good examples
of a good literature review
Locate relevant literature
Identify key authors and journals
Use bibliographic reference sources
Use computerized literature searches
Obtain reprints and preprints
Look at literature from other disciplines
Scan tables of contents of key journals
Use references lists from articles, chapters, and
books
Use primary sources
Avoid the popular press
Tips in writing the review of
literature

Present an introductory paragraph on

what is the content of the chapter.
Introduce how the chapter is
organized, e.g. thematically, topically,
according to variables or
chronologically according to dates,
etc.
Generally, consider the focus of your
study and use that as the basis in
arranging the subsections of Chapter
2. For example, if you are considering
Study habits and the Performance of
multigrade pupils you could have a
subsection on study habits and
another subsection on performance of
mutigrade pupils
Get reviewed literature relevant to the
topics in the subsections and weave
the ideas of different authors. Try as
much as possible to write an essay
that interlaces the ideas of different
authors, not the one-author-one-
paragraph style of writing. Similar
ideas of different authors can be put
together in one paragraph
Every end of the section should
contain the insights gained by the
researcher. Cite the relatedness of
the reviewed literature to the present
study. The similarities and differences
could be highlighted.
Make sure to include only those
relevant to the present study. Do not
deviate from your focus. You will be
overwhelmed with several materials,
but constantly bear in mind your focus
Avoid the “cut-and-paste” style
because this could led to plagiarism.
Ideas of authors have to be
acknowledged.
 WORK ACTIVITY
FOR CHAPTER 2
Annotate 20 books/materials related
to your research problem in index
cards. Get the author, year, title of
material, publications. Write the
important ideas, findings, etc. from
these materials which are related to
your present study
Write Chapter 2 of your paper.