2. “Too often the review of
literature is seen as a
necessary evil to be
completed as fast as
possible so that one can get
on with the ‘real research’.”
3. The Literature Review
PURPOSE:
• Literature review means consulting
works done by researchers in one’s
area of research in order to
understand and investigate a research
problem
• The works could include: journal
articles, books, theses, dissertations,
etc.
4. Literature Review
• It helps the researcher to
determine what is already known
in the area of study
• The researcher is able to know the
main concepts and variables
previously studied
• The researcher is able to learn
about the existing theories in the
area of study
5. Literature Review
• The researcher is able to identify
inconsistencies or shortcomings in the
literature
• The researcher is able to know about
the views of other researchers that
need to be investigated further
• It helps the researcher in identifying
gaps in the existing literature and
stating how the present study can fill
the gap
6. Literature Review
• The researcher is able to state the
contributions the present study
can be expected to make
• It helps the researcher to
determine the research designs or
methods that seem unsatisfactory
and the ones that are satisfactory
7. Literature Review
STYLE
• The literature is written in the Present
Tense. However, when reporting on a
finding, the Past Tense is employed.
• (1) Tuckman (1994) defines an
independent variable as the factor that is
measured, manipulated……..
• (2) Brown (2009) in a study of
cooperative learning found that
collaboration among students in group…
8. Literature Review
PREPARATION
• Write the problem at the top of a sheet
of paper
• Write out each variable to be
researched – independent and
dependent
• Write each sub-problem or variable
• Identify keywords and phrases in each
sub-problem or variable
9. Literature Review
PREPARATION
• Write these keywords and phrases in a
column under the appropriate sub-
problem or variable. The list you
generate becomes your agenda as you
read the literature
• Go to the library to seek out resources
related to your agenda
10. Literature Review
• After you have identified your primary
and secondary sources, you need to
abstract your findings. This involves
locating, summarizing and classifying
your references according to the
headings or theses of your study.
11. Literature Review
Primary Source:
• First hand information, such as the
testimony of an eyewitness, an
original document, or a description
of a study written by the person
who conducted it
12. Literature Review
Secondary Source
• Second hand information, such as a
brief description of a study written by
someone other than the person who
conducted it
14. Literature Review
• Review literature that is related to the
key variables. Use 10 to 15 primary
sources no older than 1998.
• Theory
• Philosophical underpinnings
• Review related to the problem
• Literature is current and relevant
• Sources cited are in reference list and
vice versa
15. Literature Review
• Identify key words and sources
• Identify sources as primary and
secondary
• Evaluate and analyze sources
• Reference sources using APA writing
style
• Analyze, organize and report the
literature
