Literature Review

Literature Review

By Bro.Francis Ibanda(MBA,PGDHR,BBAM,MABE)

Bro.Francis Ibanda(MBA,PGDHR,BBAM,MABE)

Tel.0703826155,0753521891

Session Objectives

• Define the concept Literature Review• Discuss some sources of Literature Review• Explain the importance of review of related

literature• Explain the limit and review of Literature• Explain the different approaches of

referencing, citation and direct quotes• Conduct literature review


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Introduction

• According to Owolabi.J(2006), literature review is the gradual process which the researcher uses to search out, read, digest and critically evaluating previous works of scholars related to the problem under investigation

• In order to understand your study, you need to familiarize yourself with what other scholars have done in your proposed topic/study


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Introduction

• In literature review, you are getting full knowledge of the area of your interest

• Literature review is chapter two of the research proposal


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What is Literature Review

Definition:• Systematic identification and location of

documents concerning information related to the research problem

• Mugenda & Mugenda(199:29) reports that the reviewing of literature involves:– The systematic identification– Location and analysis of documents containing

information related to the research problem being investigated.


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• Summary and analysis of previous researches showing how they are linked to the present study.

• Re+ view=look again at what others have done in areas that are similar, though not necessarily identical to one’s own area of investigation.


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• It is a summary and analysis of previous researches by showing how they are linked to the present study.

• A thoughtful thematic review of any historical, theoretical and methodological issues you are dealing with

• Written discursively telling your readers which academic conversation you are taking part in and why.


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• Historical issues-what past work has been done in this area?

• Methodological issues: how have others tackled similar(or even very different) problems?


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Types of Review

• Integrative– Drawing conclusions from many separate studies

• Theoretical– Present different theories to explain a certain

phenomenon, comparing breadth, consistency and predictions

• Methodological– Examine research methods that have been

applied to particular problem.Bro.Francis

Ibanda(MBA,PGDHR,BBAM,MABE) Tel.0703826155,0753521891

Importance of Literature Review

• It can reveal to you sources of data you never thought of.

• It can introduce you to eminent scholars• It can increase your confidence in your

selected topic• It can reveal investigations similar to yours

and it can now show how other scholars handled methodological and design issues.


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• Literature review helps the researcher to get used to the related material on the study

• avoid unnecessary and unintentional duplication of others researchers' projects-It will help to contribute to knowledge

• Helps to summarize the results of previous studies in order for you to use them as data base for your findings.


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• Gives an overview of the field of inquiry on what has been already said about the topic

• Shows how the prevailing ideas fit into your study

• How your study agrees or differs from them• It may reveal data sources of that you may not

have known to have existed• It can reveal methods of dealing with

problematic situationsBro.Francis

Ibanda(MBA,PGDHR,BBAM,MABE) Tel.0703826155,0753521891

Importance of Literature Review• It can help you interpreted and make sense of

your findings and ultimately help you to tie your results to the works of those who have preceded you.


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Literature Review Process

• Identify key issues to be addressed to be addressed by the literature review ie:– Clarify the research topic– Relationship between variables– Be specific on the problem literature should

address

• Identify sources of information– Books, articles, professional papers


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• Identify key issues to be addressed by the literature review i.e– Clarify the research topic– Relationships between variables– Be specific on the problem the literature should

address

• Identify sources of information– Books, articles, professional papers


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• Analyze critically the articles identified• Create an outline of the review– Use objectives

• Write review of literature– Use objectives here

• Reviewing should be critical– This means not taking things at the face value and

adopting a questioning attitude.


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• You might need to ask the following questions of the things you read:– What claims and arguments are being made?– Are the arguments logically consistent(do they make

sense)– What evidence is cited in support?– What source(primary and secondary have been used?– What objections may be raised?– How does the study fit into the field of research?


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Evaluating & Synthesize Literature

• Compare and contrast varying theoretical perspectives on the topic

• Show how approaches to the topic have changed over time

• Describe general trends in research findings• Identify discrepant or contradictory findings and

suggest possible explanations for such discrepancies'• Identify general themes that run throughout the

literature


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Common Misconceptions

• The literature review does not simply;– Show that nothing has been written about the topic– Show your awareness of the big names in the field– Provide a summary of all the literature about the

topic– Simply occur at the beginning of the research

process– Occur once all relevant material have been searched

or copied.


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Literature Review

Must;• Organize information and relate it to the thesis

or research question you are developing• Synthesize results into what is and isn’t known• Identify controversy when it appears in the

literature• Develop questions for further research

Bro.ncis Ibanda(MBA,PGDHR,BBAM,MABE) Tel.0703826155,0753521891

Literature Review

• Be critical; you are not recording or describing other peoples work, you are providing a critique by pointing out the strengths & weaknesses of other research & evaluating other studies, theories etc with reference to your study.


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Guidelines to Literature Review

• Avoid temptation to include everything• Must plan and clearly define the topic and

research objectives• Start with the most recent studies because

they rely on new discoveries in knowledge• Indicate any thought that comes to your mind

eg what don’t you understand, points you disagree/agree with etc


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Scope of Literature

• A number of questions especially from graduate students are asked:– How wide or narrow should the literature be ie

when should some body stop reviewing ?


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How many References to look for?

• A reasonable of references in literature review would be;– Undergarduate review: 15-20 titles– Masters thesis 50+ titles– Doctoral thesis: 80+ titles


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Common errors in Reviewing Literature

• Harried review of literature in order to get started on the research project

• Overconcentration on secondary sources• Overconcentration on the findings and

overlooking valuable information on methods and measures.

• Overlooking other sources such as; news papers, and popular magazines which often contain articles on education topics.


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Tips on good Literature Review

• Do not conduct a hurried review for fear of overlooking important information

• Do not rely too heavily on secondary sources• Many people concentrate only on findings

from journals when reviewing literate. Endeavor to read about the methodology used

Bro.Francis Ibanda(MGDHR,BBAM,MABE) Tel.0703826155,0753521891

Tips on good Literature Review

• It is important to check daily newspapers because contain very educative and current information educative


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Sources of Literature Review

Primary Source:• Primary source is direct description of any

occurrence by an individual who actually observed or witnessed the occurrence

• A review of literature should be based on primary sources as much as possible because information from secondary source may be altered by writers.


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Primary Sources Literature Review

• Original work by the person who conducted the study

• Eye witness• Original documents• Periodicals (journals, dissertations/thesis,

conferences papers)


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Secondary Source:These include any publication written by the an

author who was not a direct observer or participant in the events being described.– Books– Reports– News papers– The print journals– On line computer– CD ROM


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• Grey literature• Periodicals• Internet


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Content of Literature Review

• Literature review leads to the development of the literature review chapter which may include;– Introduction– Theoretical review– Conceptual frame work(some times in chapter

One or two– Actual review objectives &objectives………………….


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Literature Review Chapter

• Abstracting the references• Locating, reviewing, summarizing and classifying reference

• Seven steps– Read the article abstract– Skim the entire article– Record complete bibliographic information– Summarize the article– Identify thoughts about the article you believe

important– Indicate direct quotes properly


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Literature Review Chapter

• Be familiar with the library before beginning the literature review

• Make a list of key word or phrases to guide your literature search. Family conflict, family violence or abuse, family dissolution.


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Quantitative and Qualitative Reviews

• Differences between Quantitative & Qualitative reviews– Quantitative reviews are typically conducted in

initial stages of the study– Qualitative are ongoing throughout the entire

study reflecting the need to understand data as it is collected, interpreted and synthesized.


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Citation and Referencing


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• It is an important part of literature of your review

• The goal is to allow readers to find your source

• Most institutions have preferred system of referencing

• Whatever system preferred/adopted has to be consistent


• Create bibliography as you go to avoid having to retrace the material at the final write up stage

• The system preferred at UMU is the Harvard system


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• For a book the details required are in order are: Example– Author– Year– Title– Publisher– Place of Publication


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• Example:– Berkman.R. 1994: How to Uncover Expert

Information on any subject, Harper Perennilla, New York.

• Two or More Authors• Example– Moir,A & Jessel,D.1991,The real difference

Between Men and Women, Mandarin,London


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• Journal Article– HuffmanProcessing Proteins for use as a food

ingredient,LM.1996,. Food Technology , Vol 50 no. 2 pp 49-52

• Conference Paper– Bohrer, S.,Zielke,T. & Freiburg, V.1995, “Integrated

obstacle detection frame work for intelligence cruise control and motorways”. IEE intelligence Vehicles Symposium,Detroit,MI,Piscataway,pp 256-281


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• News Paper article– Orungo S. “Malnutrition among Ugandan

children” The Standard Times 9 May,2012 P.32


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References in the Text

• Use only the name of the author followed by the year of publication. Eg Berry &Williams(1987) found a positive relationship between income and satisfaction with quality of life

• Foot notes– References which appear at the bottom of the

journal, book or article– Provides additional information


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Some common abbreviationsc Copyright

Chap.chaps Chapter, chapters

et al. Used when more than two authors eg. Ibanda et al,2005

Ibid As cited above(using the same author in the next paragraph)

Ed eds Editor, editors

p., pp Page(s)

Vol,vols Volume(s)


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Conducting Literature Review

• It can be conducted objectives by objectives, research questions by research questions or according to reaesrch hypothesis.


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Literature Review

Documents

review of literature

literature review summary

sources of literature

concept literature review

literature review definition

francis ibandamba

mabe bro

related literature