MODULE 2

Writing a Good Review of Related Literature

Steps in Reviewing Literature
Define your idea in as general terms as possible by using general sources
Search through the primary sources
Search through the secondary sources
Organize your notes
Write down your review
Things to be done in conducting review of 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 reference lists from articles, Chapters and books

Use primary and secondary sources

1 LITERATURE STUDY
A thorough literature study is an indispensable component of all research.
It familiarizes the researcher with both researches which has already been done in his field as well as with current
research.
A literature study makes the researcher aware of what the current train of thought is, as well as the focus of existing
and acceptable thought regarding a specific topic.
It also helps him demarcate the boundaries of his research theme. When doing this, he finds ideas for his own
research theme and for possibly processing his data.
1.2 The role of a literature study in research
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The literature study helps the researcher to:

1.

select a research problem or theme. Relevant literature enables the researcher to discover where inconsistencies,
wrong designs and incorrect statistical conclusions occur.

2.

Often research reports are concluded with recommendations regarding research which still needs to done. The
researcher's thinking can be shaped in this way, which in turn will enable him to:
define the boundaries of his field;
establish the size and extent of his research;
consider the procedures and the instruments which he will use in his research.
see his own problem in better perspective through a better understanding of the underlying theory.
avoid unnecessary (non-purposeful) repetition of research already undertaken.
better evaluate the significance of his own findings. This applies especially in respect of which techniques were used,
and which contributions were made to gaining a better understanding of the problem, etc;
formulate his hypotheses with sharper insight;
carry out his research more purposefully. In time he learns to eliminate the unnecessary. He learns from the successes
and failures of others.
1.3 Types of literature

Comprehension literature, i.e. books and articles by experts in which they state their opinions, experiences, theories and ideas
on concepts and constructs within a specific problem area, as well as their opinions on what is good or bad, desirable or
undesirable, valuable or worthless regarding insight into specific concepts or constructs.
Research literature: This includes reporting in respect of research already undertaken in the field (and is currently drawing
attention) and gives the researcher a good indication of successes and problems in respect of research procedures, design,
hypotheses, techniques and instruments.
* The results of studying these two types of literature are thus a personal frame of reference, i.e. an insight into the body
of basic knowledge, possible differences, underlying theories, et cetera.
* It furthermore leads to a greater awareness of those matters within the field which have already sufficiently been
demonstrated and proved, as well as those matters still requiring more in-depth research.
1.4 Primary and secondary sources
Primary sources of a specific type of information are the original works, books, magazine articles, films, sound recordings, et
cetera, which reflect the information firsthand.
Secondary sources include commentaries, explanations, elucidations et cetera, which other writers have done on the primary
sources.
1.5 Making notes
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The following general guidelines should be useful when making notes:

1. Start with the most recent works and work back to earlier (timeless) works: your chances of adhering to outdated
or faulty theories are then much smaller. Earlier misunderstandings and obscurities can be eliminated at this point. The
recent works should lead you to older works by referring to them - not vice versa.
2

You should preferably start with the works of recognized writers dealing with the specific theme.

3 Further, it is worthwhile starting with articles, treatises and dissertations. This kind of literature is usually very welldocumented and will quickly put you on the track of other relevant sources.
4 Before reading a source in its entirely, you should read the summary, precise or abstract of the book or article in
order to ascertain whether or not it is at all relevant. This will save much time and will spare you much frustration.
5 Before making notes, you should skim through the whole chapter, paragraph or section in order to ascertain
whether, and if so how, the section links up with your own problem. This will help to determine the kind of notes to be
made. Much valuable time can be saved in this way.
6 Work on cards and not on scraps of paper. Write your notes directly on to record cards, and save yourself the
double trouble of rewriting. (You will also eliminate the possibility of unnecessary errors made while rewriting your
notes from scraps of paper on the cards). Cards (as a result of their stiffness and uniform size) are easier to handle
and file than scraps of paper or the backs of envelopes.
7 For this reason, it is a sound habit always to keep a few record cards on hand (in the pocket of your jacket, in your
handbag) so that ideas can be jotted down as soon as they occur. Such ideas may occur in the bus, while you are
waiting to see someone, or while listening to a lecture or presentation.
8 You should select a comfortably sized card. I personally fine 150 cm x 100 cm (6" x 4") the most useful. It is small
enough to fit into a jacket pocket and yet big enough to allow for plenty of information.
9 In order to facilitate filing and sorting, and to allow for flexibility, a single piece of information (thought, opinion)
should be entered on a single card. You should preferably only write on one side of the card. In cases where more than
one card is used to enter a specific argument (or episode), cards which belong together can be kept together by means
of elastic bands.
10 The source and a relevant page number should be clearly entered on each card. This will later eliminate many
frustrations.
11 Each card should have a suitable heading/key word. This facilitates filing and retrieving information. Apart from
this, it already serves to structure the chapters of the research report.
12 You should try, as far as possible, to summarize the writer's thoughts in your own words. This eliminates the
danger of plagiarism, and will force you to try to understand the information. You should only rewrite verbatim those
thoughts which you cannot paraphrase better. In such cases you should ensure that you rewrite the quotation
absolutely correctly. Each punctuation mark, each capital, must be correct. Be careful to spell correctly.
13 You should clearly distinguish on your cards if you have written (1) a direct quotation; (2) a paraphrased
summary or your own comment.
14 Very long quotations should rather be photostated and pasted on to the cards - this will save time and eliminate
unnecessary rewriting errors.

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15 Neat handwriting is not a requirement. Retyping notes, or first taking them down in shorthand and later rewriting
them neatly, is an unnecessary waste of time.
16

You should plan ahead and acquire a sturdy filing system. Initially, shoe boxes are very useful.

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A final remark - each source should be dealt with as accurately as if you will not handle it again.

Five Cs in writing the Review of Literature

In writing the review of the literature there are certain rules that you should observe.
The review should be:
COMPLETE
CORRECT
CLEAR
COHERENT
CONCISE

ensure that all the necessary information relating to the research problem is included.
ensure that all quotations, facts and figures are accurate and verifiable.
ensure that words and terms used in the descriptions are unambiguous.
ensure that ideas are arranged in a logical sequence.
ensure that the review is an appropriate length considering the overall length of the report.

Student Activities:
1.
2.

Discuss making bibliographies sing APA style (refer to my website)

Do library research

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