Review of literature

UVANI ASHOK KUMAR

Meaning:
A literature review is the effective evaluation of selected
documents on a research topic. A review may form an essential
part of the research process or may constitute a research project in
itself.
In the context of a research paper or thesis the literature review
is a critical synthesis of previous research. The evaluation of the
literature leads logically to the research question.

Literature
Literature in this consist of
a) books
b) journals
c) reports
d)research dissertation and thesis
e) newspapers
f) micro forms: audio video tapes

What to review and for what purpose :

The review of literature is not mere reading for reading
sake.
It is also not a casual reading like reading a story or
novel
It is focused and directed towards specific purpose
The literature review starts with the selection of a
problem for research, continues through the various stages
of the research process and ends with report writing.

Purpose of review
a) to gain a background knowledge of the research
topic
b) identify the concepts, potential relationship
c) identify data source used by other researchers
d) report structure

Steps in the research

process

1. Identification &
selection of problem

Kinds of
literatures

purpose

a) Source
materials
b) Latest
publications
c) Dissertations
d) Thesis

a) Background
knowledge
b) Up to date
c) duplication

2.Formulation of selected Previous studies in

problem
the field.

To become familiar

3. Operational concepts

Clarifying concepts

4. Preparation of
research proposal

_(2)_

a) Illustrated
books
b) Published
unpublished
thesis

a) Develop design
b) Formulating
hypothesis

5. Construction of
tools for collection
of data

a) (4a) (4b)
b) Copies of tools
and scales
furnished

a) Gaining of
knowledge from
the previous thesis

6. Drafting the
theoretical chapters
and theory part of
other chapters

Journal, textbooks ,
reference books,
reports on this subject
matter

To take notes and

compile bibliography

Literature search procedure

a) request professor, librarian
b) find out bibliographies
c) refer catalog in library i)author wise
b)subject wise
d) consult reference cited in the books and
article
e) see the book review pages in the daily
newspaper and also in the journals

Sources of literature:
a)subject catalogues oflibrar
b)documentation services
c) bibliographies
d) journals
e) government reports
f) research abstracts

Planning the review work

steps in planning:
a) to decide what information is useful and what is not
preliminary outline-----. Objective
b) how to record and what to record
verbatim
c)to set up orderly recording or note taking system
i) the recording should facilitate ready location of the
recorded information when required
ii) flexible., arrangement and also for rearrangement
iii)all notes relating to particular topic should be available
together

Recording data or information in different modes

They are sheet of papers, bounded note book, cards.
The most suitable method of recording notes is card system.,
it is easy to handle, keep it in box, can be arranged and rearranged
and flexible and also convenient.
Easy to classify data
Types of cards:
i) source card ii) note card
Source card: recording of bibliographic information in the source
card should be made in proper bibliography format.
Book
Authors name (starting with last name), title of the book, place of
publication: publisher name, year (or)
Authors name, the title of the book, the publishers nmae, place,
year

Example:
Kootz, Harold ,et al, Management, Mcgraw-Hill International Book
Company, New Delhi, 1980
Article
Authors name, the title of the article. The journal name, place.
Publishers name, volume issue No, pages (or)
Authors name, the title of the article. The journal name,
Publishers name, place, volume issue No, pages

The way to present the reviews

It should be in any chronological order
Stated with name, title of the previous topic or reviews, their
objectives, and the relevant conclusion, or the outcome of the thesis
and even the scope for future study
Example (preference)
Selvaraj, A. and Mahendran,A (2003) in their study consumer
preference towards electronic durable goods , the objective is that
to find the reason behind on buying particular brand and they
conclude that most of the respondents prefer IFB washing machine
because of its quality and price.

References:
1) http://libguides.library.cqu.edu.au/litreview
2)https://www.google.co.in/search?
q=review+of+literature&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&v
ed=0ahUKEwiR96zdqKDOAhUEKo8KHcijB84Q_AUICCgB&biw=1366&
bih=623
3)https://www.google.co.in/search?
q=review+of+literature&oq=re&aqs=chrome.2.69i60j69i59l3j69i57j
69i60.2525j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
4)
http://library.queensu.ca/webedu/grad/Purpose_of_the_Literature_Re
view.pdf
5) http://www.library.cqu.edu.au/tutorials/litreviewpages/topic.htm
6)Methodology of research in social science- O.R. Krishnaswamy and
Renganathan.
7)Research Methodology- Dr. N.Dhanulingam, himalaya publications