CHAPTER 4 :

LEARNING FROM OTHERS AND

REVIEWING THE LITERATURE

LESSON 1 :SELECTING RELEVANT

LITERATURE
 LESSON 1

SELECTING RELEVANT LITERATURE

 What is a Literature Review?

• Provides an over of what has been written about a

specific topic.
• Includes all the information and data which are
authoritative and relevant.
 What are the sources of literature?
The literature can cover a range of sources:
• Journal articles
• Monographs
• Computerized databases
• Conference proceedings
• Theses and dissertations
• Empirical studies
• Government reports and reports from other bodies
• Historical records
• Statistical handbooks
SOME HELPING QUESTIONS THAT CAN DEDUCE,
BASE AND DERIVE LITERATURE REVIEW
• Have you clearly indicated the scope and purpose of the review?
• Have you included a balanced coverage of what is available?
• Have you included enough materials to show the development and
limitations in this area?
• Have you included the most recent and relevant studies?
• Have you indicated the source of the literature by referencing
accurately?
• Have you used mostly primary sources or appropriate secondary
sources?
WHY DO A LITERATURE REVIEW?
• To indicate the research that has been conducted in the area before.
• To demonstrate that you’re aware of important and recent studies in
your study area.
• To ensure that you haven’t missed literature detailing a novel way for
you to conduct your study, or pointing you to a data-collection tool that
is most appropriate for your study.
• To explain the theoretical background to your proposed research
project.
• To demonstrate your ability to critically analyze the literature in your
study area.
KINDS OF LITERATURE REVIEW
1. TRADITIONAL ( Narrative literature review): provides a
quick overview of current studies.
2. INTEGRATIVE: this review synthesizes findings from
different approaches.
3. SYNTACTIC: this review synthesizes high quality empirical
information to answer a given research question.
4. SCOPING: this review involves a broad research question
that explores the current evidence base.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD LITERATURE REVIEW

• Materials must be as recent as possible.

• Materials must be as objective and unbiased as
possible.
• Materials must be relevant to the study.
• Materials must not be too few but nor too many.
TYPES OF SOURCES OF RELATED LITERATURE

1. PRIMARY SOURCES: publications in which

researches report the results of their studies.
2. SECONDARY SOURCES: publications in which authors
describe the work of others.
USING COMPUTER FOR LITERATURE REVIEW
• Computers become one of the rich sources for writing a
review of literature.
• Availability of Education Resources Information Center
(ERIC).
• Availability of world wide web (www) as part of the
internet.
• Search engines are available (Ex. Google)
SUMMARY
Preparing a literature review does involves:
1. Searching for reliable, accurate and up-to-date material on
the topic or subject.
2. Reading and summarizing the key points.
3. Synthesizing the key ideas, theories and concepts into a
summary of what is known.
4. Discussing and evaluating these ideas, theories and
concepts.
5. Identifying particular areas of debate and controversy
6. Preparing the ground for the application of these ideas to
new research.
END