Reviewing the Literature

Objectives
• Define Literature Review
• Detail the sources of Literature and discuss the RRL process
• Selection of appropriate literature
• Outline the components of the RRL
• Constructing Theoretical Framework
Literature Review
University of Southern California

Literature reviews are designed to provide an overview of sources you

have explored while researching a particular topic, and to demonstrate
your readers how your research fits within a larger field of study.
Literature Review
MacPherson Institute (Dr. Michael Agnew):

Literature Review considers the state and progress of existing literature

on a given topic by organizing, integrating, and critically evaluating
published books and articles.
Purpose of a Literature Review
Flinders University

The purpose of a literature review:

1. To understand the major ideas.
2. Show an awareness of the scope of the research.
3. To emphasize influential research studies.
4. To identify new knowledge.
5. To highlight gaps in the research.
A literature should
• Place your study within the context of other work.
• Inform your reader about the theories your research is based on.
• Define terminology and concepts drawn upon in your study.
• Explain the basis of your chosen research methodology.
• Establish the need for your research by identifying gaps and
limitations.
A literature review should not
• A literature review is not the same as an annotated bibliography.
• A literature review can build on the work done in an annotated
bibliography, but includes a critical analysis of the relationship among
different works, and relates the research to your own work.
 Statement of Formulation of
Idea, refining
research specific aims
of idea
question and objectives

Define data
The Literature
review
Select
methodology
collection
methods

Research
Process Gather data Analyze data
Draw
conclusions

Complete
manuscript
write-up
 University of Southern
California
“Ways to Organize the Related
Literature”
• Chronology of events
• By publication
Review of Related • Thematic
Literature and Studies • Methodological
• Related Readings
• Related Literature
• Related Studies
• Synthesis and
Justification
• Theoretical Framework
Sources of Related Literature and Studies
• Libraries, either government, school, or private libraries.
• Government and private offices.
• The National Library of the Philippines.
• The Library of Commission on Higher Education.
Strategies for Critically Evaluating Sources
1. Inquiring about the Author
2. Inquiring about the Date of Publication
3. Inquiring about the Edition or Revision
4. Inquiring about the Publisher
5. Inquiring about the Title of the Journal
Types of Sources
• Scholarly sources
• Popular sources
• Trade publications
Review of Related Literature and Studies
• Related Readings
• Legal basis of the study
• Direct/Indirect implications to the government thrusts
• Related Literature – Foreign and Local
• Sources are taken from the books, journals,
magazines, online databases
• Related Studies – Foreign and Local
• Published research studies.
• Synthesis and Justification
• Justification of the present study.
• Bearing of related studies upon the present study.
• Differences of the present study.
• Theoretical Framework
• Defines the relationships of all the variables (key
concepts)
Goals of Theoretical Framework
(McCombes, 2020)
• Define key concepts
• Evaluate and combine
relevant theories and models
• Explain the assumptions and
expectations that guide your
research work.
University of Southern
California:
• A theoretical framework
consists of concepts and
together with definitions and
references to relevant
scholarly literature, or
existing theory that is used
for your particular study.
Review of Related Literature and Studies
• Related Readings
• Legal basis of the study
• Direct/Indirect implications to the government thrusts
• Related Literature – Foreign and Local
• Sources are taken from the books, journals,
magazines, online databases
• Related Studies – Foreign and Local
• Published research studies.
• Synthesis and Justification
• Justification of the present study.
• Bearing of related studies upon the present study.
• Differences of the present study.
• Theoretical Framework
• Defines the relationships of all the variables (key
concepts)
 Review of Related Literature and Studies

Introduction
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Overview of the RRL
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
______________

Related Readings
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Legal basis of the study
_________________________________________________
• Direct/indirect implications to the government
_________________________________________________
thrusts
_________________________________________________
• Laws and department directives such as circulars,
______________ orders, memoranda, or manuals
Related Literature (Foreign and Local)

Keyword 1
___________________________________________
• Sources are taken from the books, journals,
_________________________________________________
magazines, and online databases
_________________________________________________
__________________

Keyword 2
___________________________________________
• Sources are taken from the books, journals,
_________________________________________________
magazines, and online databases
_________________________________________________
__________________

Keyword 3
• Sources are taken from the books, journals,
___________________________________________
magazines, and online databases
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Keyword 4
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Sources are taken from the books, journals,
__________________
magazines, and online databases
Keyword 5
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Sources are taken from the books, journals,
__________________ magazines, and online databases

Related Studies (Foreign and Local)

Keyword 1
___________________________________________
• Published research studies
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
__________________
Keyword 1
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Published research studies
_________________________________________________
__________________

Keyword 2
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Published research studies
_________________________________________________
__________________

Keyword 3
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Published research studies
_________________________________________________
__________________
Keyword 4
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Published research studies
_________________________________________________
__________________

Keyword 5
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Published research studies
_________________________________________________
__________________

Synthesis and Justification

___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Justification of the present study
• Bearing of related studies upon the present
_________________________________________________
__________________ study
• Differences of the present study with the
past studies
Theoretical Framework
___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
• Defines the relationships of all the variables
_________________________________________________
(key concepts) pertinent to the study in
__________________reference to an established theory or
theories.
How do you show that your RRL
adequately supports the research
project?
 Matrix of Related Literature
Keyword 1 Keyword 2 Keyword 3 Keyword 4 Keyword 5
Foreign Author 1 What does FA 1 tells
about Keyword 1?
Foreign Author 2
Foreign Author 3
Foreign Author 4
Foreign Author 5
Local Author 1
Local Author 2 Some cells may not
have entries
Local Author 3
Local Author 4
Local Author 5
RESEARCHERS Summary Summary Summary Summary Summary
(YOU)
 Matrix of Related Studies
Keyword 1 Keyword 2 Keyword 3 Keyword 4 Keyword 5
Foreign Author 1 What does FA 1 tells
about Keyword 1?
Foreign Author 2
Foreign Author 3
Foreign Author 4
Foreign Author 5
Local Author 1
Local Author 2 Some cells may not
have entries
Local Author 3
Local Author 4
Local Author 5
RESEARCHERS Summary Summary Summary Summary Summary
(YOU)
General Notes
While or after doing RRL, always retune your topic. Revise the
(Statement of the) Problem and Revisit Keywords!