Literature guidance dissertation review.pptx

Review

1. Literature review

2. Definition Literature review is the use of information from other authorities in one’s research work. According to Burns and Burns [2012:47] literature review “…is a critical review of what has been done, pulling disparate strands together, and identifying relationships and contradiction between previous research findings”. Researchers need to find suitable literature that is well related to the current research. Therefore, the researcher has the literature in accordance to the guiding concept of the objectives of the research.

3. Source of literature There are many sources of literature review that are available for researchers. Secondary sources are relevant for literature review. Therefore, literature review can be defined as secondary data search through which the researcher extracts relevant facts to support the current study. The following are the sources of literature review, Text books Professional journals Unpublished documents such as reports, minutes of past meetings that is related to the current study. Internet [web resources] Opinions, beliefs of key persons Government documents Directories

4. Importance of a literature review To demonstrate that the researcher have learnt from other accredited scholars and researchers To demonstrate that the research work is in accordance with existing knowledge. In other words the researcher is not inventing a new wheel but making some modifications on the existing wheel. To demonstrate that the research work is a starting point for new ideas in the existing academic stock of knowledge. To enable the researcher to identify to the gaps in the current knowledge. To demonstrate the limitations of existing theories and formulate areas for further research as well as to reveal areas of controversy. To convince the readers that the researcher has an in-depth knowledge of the subject being studied. To demonstrate to the reader that the researcher understands where the research work fits well into and adds value to an existing academic body of agreed knowledge. To summarise prior research and show how the current research work is linked to the work that was researched before the current work. To demonstrate a familiarity with the existing body of knowledge and establishes the credibility of the current research work. To integrate as well as to summarise what is known about the subject being studied. To provide the basis for analysing and interpreting the data. Provides the basis for developing a theory that aims to fill the identified gaps. To enable the researcher to be aware of additional data needed so as to avoid repeating the work that has already been studied. To enable the researcher to be familiar with different research methods

5. Objectives of a literature review The major objectives of writing the literature review by the researcher are as follows. To survey the literature in the researcher’s chosen area of study. To synthesises the information from accredited authorities into a summary. To c ritically analyse the information obtained by identified existing gaps in the current knowledge by showing strengths and weaknesses of existing theories, so as to formulate areas of further research. To present the literature in a logical way.

6. Characteristics of a good literature review It should follow a well-defined order that is it should start with an introduction then focus on research objectives. Research objective number one should be addressed followed by research objective number two up-to the last research objective. Every paragraph should have a quotation or many quotations from accredited authorities. It should demonstrate an extensive search of related literature. The researcher has to admit the sources used. It should identify the gaps of the research study. It should demonstrate how the current research study will contribute towards covering the gaps being identified. It should have a well-defined link on the current study with the previous researchers. It should tally with the research objectives. It should answer the research problem. It should be presented in the format of a standard essay made up of the introduction, body and the conclusion.

7. The don’ts Do not write your own views about the topic but you need to consider the work of other authorities. Do not write facts on the case study being researched focus your attention on other related authorities. Do not take any written work but focus your attention on relevant related work to your study. It should not be a list of annotate bibliography in which a summary of each source is listed. Avoid taking others work to appear as if it is your original work. Avoid using information from few authorities. There is need to use literature from many accredited authorities. Do not exaggerate the authorities or change the yeas and pages of the literature used in the study. Avoid very long quotations from other literature, it may appear as if you are reproducing the work of other authorities.