Unit 4:

LEARNING FROM OTHERS

AND REVIEWING THE
LITERATURE
RESEARCH
Unit 4:
1
LEARNING FROM OTHERS AND REVIEWING THE LITERATURE
 Learning Outcomes:
After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:
1 . Select
relevant literature
2. Cite related literature using American
Psychological Association Standard
Synthesize information from
3.

relevant literature
4. Write coherent review of literature
5. Follow ethical standards in writing related literature
6. Present written review of literature
Unit 3:
Identifying the Inquiry and Stating the Problem
What is
R
R
l
CONTENT: REVIEW OF RELATED Literature
What is a Review of Related Literature?
is a summary of the state of existing knowledge on a
research problem or topic. It is an analysis and
synthesis of articles related to the research topic being
studied.

The processes involve are:

1) searching relevant articles;
2) reading and analyzing research reports; and
3) writing the description of the existing information on
a topic in a manner that is ethical and based on standards.
What are the purposes of literature
review?
1. To identify a research problem
2. To improve a research question or hypothesis (for quantitative
research)
3. To determine what is known and unknown about the topic of
Inquiry
4. To determine whether a study needs to be replicated in a different
setting or different group of the population
5. To identify suitable designs or methods for a specific study
6. To assist researchers in interpreting findings
Types of Literature
1. RESEARCH LITERATURE
- these are literature based on research findings.
These are data supported by pieces of
evidence, also known as “empirical references”

Examples: journal articles, literature reviews,

abstracts of research studies
Types of Literature
1. NON - RESEARCH LITERATURE
- these are literature which are not based on
research findings. These literatures can provide
insights and may broaden understanding regarding a
topic. However, since they are not based on research
findings, they have limited use and they do not serve the
purpose of review of related literature.

Examples: literary or artistic works, opinion articles,

brochures, magazines, anecdotes
SOURCES of Literature
1. Primary source - these refer to description of studies
written by the researchers themselves.

Example: researches published in a journal, abstract prepared

by the researcher(s), dissertations, thesis, undergraduate
research, presentation done by the researcher
2. Secondary source - these are descriptions of studies
written by someone else, other than the researchers
who conducted them.

Example: literature review, abstract prepared by a reviewer,

presentation of research done by someone else other than the
researcher
THE PROCESS OF
LITERATURE REVIEW
1) searching relevant articles
2) reading and analyzing research reports
3) writing the description of the existing information on a
topic in a manner that is ethical and based on standards.
=I. SEARCHING RELEVANT
RESOURCES done manually
In the past, searching for literature is .
With the advent of technology comes the expanding
use of the Internet.

✔ one must understand that there are certain

accessible search engines that might give you
interesting yet questionable data.
✔ a researcher must learn the skill of investigating
which data are research-based or not.
 =Ii. SEARCHING print
RESOURCES
Another reason to do manual search for printed materials is when a researcher
needs to perform a search to include early literature on a topic. For example,
published articles before the 1970s may not be available in some online databases.

✔ Print Indexes are books that are used to locate

articles in journals and periodicals, books, dissertations,
publications of professional organizations, and government
documents.
✔ Abstract Journals summarize articles that have
appeared in other journals.
=Iii. READING AND ANALYZING
RESEARCH REPORTS

✔ Research papers may come in various

formats. Different groups and institutions have
procedures and policies that must be adhered to by
their students. But the more common format of
presenting research articles come in the form of a
research report as found in journals.
 Example
ABSTRACT
- The abstract is a brief
summary of the study placed
at the beginning of the journal
article. It is usually composed
of 150-250 words. In that
limited number of words, the
abstract will inform you of the
background, the
methodology, the results, and
the conclusion of the study.
Introduction section
The main topic, concept, phenomenon, or variable under study.
The introduction identifies the central problem area that is under
The issues or problems surrounding
Investigation —

the topic is presented as a mean to justify the

need to conduct the study.
The knowledge gap that the study wilt fut. What is it that is missing
in the field of knowledge that has to be filled?
The purpose of the study. This portion must be clear, concise, and
direct to the point. This is usually placed in the last paragraph.
The significance of the study. This portion must answer the
question, Why is this study important to the field? What will be its contribution?"
method section
This section mentions the strategies used to answer the research
research design, subject, study locale,
Question —

research instruments, data collection, data

analysis.
For qualitative researches, several data analysis
techniques are also available.
RESULT section
The actual findings of the study are presented here. This section
usually contains tables or figures highlighting important results.

In quantitative researches, one will usually see

calculated numerical values.
For qualitative studies, what will be seen are emerged
themes or categories that were identified from the data
Discussion section
In this section, the researcher interprets the findings
presented in the result section. The researcher explains what the
results mean or what are the plausible reason why the results are the way

—How are findings can be used

they are

practically may also be added here. The

researcher is also in the best position to enumerate the
weaknesses or limitations that the study may have and how
he considers them in interpreting the findings.
reference section

a list of journal articles,

This includes
books and other documents that were
referenced in the written research manuscript.
It follows a certain standard format (e.g. APA,
Chicago, etc.).
Tips on Reading Research Reports
1. Make research reading a habit. With this, you will become
familiar with its style of writing.
2. Highlight significant information and do not hesitate to write
marginal notes on photocopies of research reports.
3. Initially scan the report then read them more slowly next time.
4. Ensure that you understand what you read. This must be a
constant effort on the part of the reader. Asking one's self whether comprehension
of the material is taking place.
5. Do not be discouraged by technical terms or even statistical data. Try to
understand the general idea of the report.
6. Translate research jargon into more familiar terms. Glossary or Terminologies
sections of research textbooks may guide you in this activity.
7. For beginning student researchers, critical evaluation of research reports may be
challenging. But do not underestimate the value of your sense while
reading.
STANDARDS STYLES IN REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE,
CITATION OR REFERENCES

What is a citation?
• A citation is both a signpost and an acknowledgment.
• As a signpost, it signals the location of a source.
• As an acknowledgment, it reveals that you are indebted to
that source.
• It also provides evidence that scholarly writing is
done and your position is well-researched
• A citation can appear in different formats: within the text (in-
text citation) at the bottom of the page (footnotes), or at the
end of the paper (endnotes).
 How to paraphrase effectively?
When one borrows other people's ideas for his assignment or research project, he must put these
ideas into his own words. How can one possibly achieve this? Here are the guidelines:

✓ Read the text several times until you

understand it.
✓ Set the work aside to avoid copying.
✓Re-write the passage in your own words.
✓Record the bibliographic information with
your paraphrased version of the original.
 PROPERLY CITING SOURCES
1. IMPLICIT STATEMENT_ (AUTHORS, YEAR)
For example:
An e-learning system with higher educational compatibility is
believed to effectively facilitate the learning processes of students
(Xu & Wang, 2006).
2. EXPLICIT AUTHOR_ (YEAR)_ VERB_ STATEMENT.
For example:
Taylor and Todd (1995) suggested that Social Influence (Sl) affects
other people's opinion, superior influence, and peer influence.

3. INTRODUCTORY PHRASE with VERB_ AUTHOR_ (YEAR)_ STATEMENT.

For example:
As suggested by Taylor and Todd (1995 ) Social Influence (SI) affects other
people's opinion, superior influence, and peer influence.
ApA DOCUMENTATION FORMAT
below is the format designed by american psychological
association for the development of the reference list

Book Reference

Book (1): Basic form, single author

Baxter, C. (1997). Race equality in health care and education.
Philadelphia: Ballire Tindall.

Book (2): Editors in place of authors

Stock, G., & Campbell, J. (Eds.).(2000). Engineering the
human genome: An exploration of the science and ethics of
altering the genes we pass to our children. New York: Oxford
University Press.
ApA DOCUMENTATION FORMAT
below is the format designed by american psychological
association for the development of the reference list

Book Reference

Book manuscript: Submitted but not yet accepted; 3-6

authors Walrath, C., Bruns, E., Anderson, K., Glass-Siegel, M. &
Wiest, M. D. (2000). The nature of expanded school mental
health services in Baltimore City. Manuscript submitted for
publication.

Chapter in edited work: Second or later edition

Roy, A. (1995). Psychiatric emergencies. In H. I. Kaplan & B. J.
Sadock (Eds.), Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry. (6th
ed., pp. 1739-1752). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.
ApA DOCUMENTATION FORMAT
below is the format designed by american psychological
association for the development of the reference list

Magazine or Newspaper Reference

Magazine article: Basic form

Greenberg, G. (2001, August 13). As good as dead: Is there
really such a thing as brain death? New Yorker, 36-41.
[Note: Use vol. no. if available.]

Newspaper Article: No author; electronic version found on

searchable, aggregated database Mad-cow may tighten
blood-donor curbs. (2001, April 19). The Gazette [Montreal],
p. A13. Retrieved August 25, 2001, from Lexis Nexis database.
ApA DOCUMENTATION FORMAT
below is the format designed by american psychological
association for the development of the reference list

Magazine or Newspaper Reference

Journal Article. Journal article (1): Basic form, single author

Roy, A. (1982). Suicide in chronic schizophrenia. British
Journal of Psychiatry, 141, 171-177.

Journal article (2): Journal paginated by issue, 3-6 authors

Baldwin, C. M., Bevan, C., & Beshalske, A. (2000). At-risk
minority populations in a church-based clinic:
Communicating basic needs. Journal of Multicultural
Nursing & Health, 6(2), 26-28.
ApA DOCUMENTATION FORMAT
below is the format designed by american psychological
association for the development of the reference list

Conference Paper

Binh, N. X., McCue, C., & O'Brien, K. (1999 October). English

language and development work at Vinh University, Nghe
An Province. Poster session presented at the Fourth
International Conference on Language and Development,
Hanoi, Vietnam. Retrieved August 23, 200 1, from
http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/hanoi/binh .htm
ApA DOCUMENTATION FORMAT
below is the format designed by american psychological
association for the development of the reference list

Government Report

Government report (1): From Government Printing Office

(GPO); organization as author (group author) National
Institute of Mental Health. (1998). Priorities for prevention
research (NIH Publication No. 98-4321) Washington, DC: U.S.
Government Printing Office. [Note: Any document available
from GPO should show GPO as publisher.]
What is PLAGIARISM?
Plagiarism is the wrongful use of idea or language
of another author and representing them as if they are
your original work. There must be adequate citing of
sources in one' s manuscript. Taking credit for other
people's work is stealing . It is offensive whether it
is done intentionally or by accident. As a writer, one must
be cautions and familiar with different types of
plagiarism.
STUDY vs LITERATURE
Literature – published materials (books,
journals, newspaper articles, internet articles,
pamphlets, etc.)

Studies – unpublished materials (researches,

theses, and dissertations)

should include both works from foreign and local

authors