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Literature review - RESEARCH METHODS NOTES
Business Research Methods (DMS 502)
University of Nairobi
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LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature refers to the analysis of textbooks or manuscripts. The term “literature” means the works the researcher consulted in order to understand and investigate the research problem.
A literature review therefore is an account of what has been published on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers.
It is a critical look at the existing research that is significant to the work that the researcher will be carrying out. It involves examining documents such as books, magazines, journals and dissertations that have a bearing on the study being conducted.
Literature is the process of reading, analyzing, evaluating, and summarizing scholarly materials about a specific topic. It is an analysis of textbooks and manuscripts related to ones area of study. Its purpose is to summarize, synthesize and analyze the arguments of others. In effect, a literature review compiles, outlines and evaluates previously established research and relates it to one’s own study. A literature review is a body of text that aims to review the critical points of current knowledge. Most are aware that it is a process of gathering information from other sources and documenting it.
The section reviews the relevant studies upon which the research is based and introduces the conceptual framework. This section indicates the theoretical concepts used. This section provides relevant readings from previous works. The materials should be relevant to the topic of the research. The literature review accomplishes the following
It shares with the reader the results of other studies that are closely related to the study being reported (Fraenkel & Wallen, 1990). It relates a study to the larger, ongoing dialogue in the literature about a topic, filling in gaps and extending prior studies (Marshall & Rossman, 1989). It provides a framework for establishing the importance of the study, as well as a benchmark for comparing the results of a study with other findings. It “frames” the problem earlier identified. Scope of literature review
Two common questions asked in the scope are:
i) When should one stop reviewing? ii) How does one get to know the relevant literature? These questions depend on the experience one has. There is no formula of arriving at a decision. The following are some hints to determine scope of literature review:
If the area of study has been studied for a long time and has a large body of literature, one can only study the literature that is close to one’s research topic. If the study area is new or has little research about it, the researcher has to study any relevant material in order to develop a logical framework and appropriate hypothesis for the study. The researcher should avoid to include all available material because excessive material does not mean that it is a great research.
Avoid literature material that is already reviewed. Steps in carrying out literature review
i) Be very familiar with the library before beginning the literature review. ii) Make a list of key words or phrases to guide your search. E. if the study deals with family conflict, you could use phrases such as “family violence” or “abuse”, “family dissolution” iii) With the key words and phrases related to the study, one should go to the source of literature. Library staff are generally helpful in offering guidance. iv) Summarize the references on cards for easy organization of the literature. v) After literature collection, analyze, organize and report in an orderly manner. vi) Make an outline of main topics or themes in order of presentation and decide on the number of headlines and sub-headlines required, depending on how detailed the review is. vii) Analyze each reference in terms of the outline made and establish where it will be most relevant. viii) Studies contrary to received wisdom should not be ignored when reviewing literature. They should be analyzed with a view to accounting for differences of opinion. ix) Arrange the literature in a way that more general is covered first before researcher narrows down to that which is specific to the research problem. x) Some researchers prefer a brief summary of literature and its implications though it is optional depending on the length of the literature under review. Importance of Literature Review in Research
Literature review is essential in research. This is due to the following:
It sharpens and deepens the theoretical foundation of the research. Literature review enables the researcher to study different theories related to the identified topic. By studying these theories, a researcher gains clarity and better understanding of the specific objectives
It gives the researcher insight into what has already been done in the selected field, pinpointing its strengths and weaknesses. This information guides the researcher in the formulation of a theory that aims at addressing the identified gaps.
It enables the researcher to know the kind of additional data needed in the study. This helps avoid duplication of work.
An understanding of previous works helps the researcher to develop a significant problem which will provide further knowledge in the field of study. It also helps in delimiting the research problem. This is through portraying what has already been done and what would be useful to focus on in the current study.
Wide reading exposes the researcher to a variety of approaches of dealing with the research issue. This contributes to a well-designed methodology. The researcher can avoid methods indicated in the literature to have failed and adopt new approaches. This will result in a significant study. In general therefore the literature review serves the following:
Ensures that you are not “reinventing the wheel”.
Gives credits to those who have laid the groundwork for one’s research.
Demonstrates ones knowledge of the research problem.
Lack of critique
Failure to review current studies
Reviewed literature may also be rejected due to the following:
Lacking organization and structure Lacking focus, unity and coherence Being repetitive Failing to cite relevant studies Failing to keep up with recent developments Failing to critically evaluate cited papers The reviewed literature should be stimulating. The References in the Body of the Text
The appropriate point at which to indicate the source of an idea is as soon as is convenient. When it is at the beginning or middle of a sentence, the researcher should indicate the surname of the author and year of publication. The year of publication should be enclosed inside brackets e. Orodho (2003) pointed out that...., Kombo (2004) indicated that .... the end of a sentence or paragraph, one needs to enclose the surname of the author and year of publication in brackets.
The name and year should be separated by a comma. For example (Orodho, 2003); (Kombo, 2004).
Referencing Within the Text
There are 2 methods of accrediting a statement:
The author’s last name and year of document publication are put after a paraphrased statement in a text. E. Income has been found to be positively related with quality of life (Williams, 2011). The authors name comes at the beginning of a sentence with the year following in brackets. E. Williams (2011) found a positive relationship between income and quality of life. According to William (2011), there is a positive relationship between income and quality of life. References & Bibliography
References refer to a list of works the researcher read and cited in the text. A bibliography refers to a list of material read whether they are cited or not. There are various ways of writing references. The most commonly used in Kenyan universities is the American Psychology Association (APA) style.
APA Reference List
At the end of an academic work, journal writing, or other such professional work, it is necessary
to include a list of all works that have been referenced in the body.
The reference list must begin on a separate page from the body of your test. You should title it
“References” so that it’s clear that the main arguments have ended and you are now listing
references.
In the reference list, you should follow APA Style rules, including the following:
Arrange author listings in alphabetical order Invert the authors’ names so that the last name is read first Titles for works cited should be given in full, whether books, journals, or other sources Specify the publisher and location where the work was published
Observing these rules, we can list a book by the social scientist Carl Jung as follows:
Jung, C. (1933). Modern Man in Search of a Soul. London: Trubner & Co.
Literature review - RESEARCH METHODS NOTES
Course: Business Research Methods (DMS 502)
University: University of Nairobi
