Review of related literature and studies

The Chapter 2 of a research paper known as the Review of Related Literature and Studies, is considered as the “Heart of Research,” emphasizes the importance of gathering information on a research topic early on. This review guides the researcher, providing evidence to support the study’s rationale and strengthening both proposal and defense. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to effectively conduct a literature review to establish a strong foundation for your research.

Lesson objectives

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

Related literature

A literature review, within a particular area of study, serves to define, evaluate, and synthesize relevant literature. It provides a clear view of how knowledge in the field has evolved over time, identifying what has been accomplished, what is widely accepted, what new developments have emerged, and the current perspectives or ongoing debates surrounding the topic.

Related literature explores facts and principles from various sources relevant to the current study. For instance, research on high school students’ learning curves would reference materials addressing similar topics. These sources may include books, encyclopedias, published journals, newspapers, and magazines. Also referred to as conceptual literature, related literature helps clarify the variables under investigation, eliminating ambiguity around the core concepts of the research.

Foreign

Consists of foreign or from another countries’ news, information websites, and articles that gives great relevance to your Research or Study.

Local

Published work that relates to a specific topic area and is derived from local news media or government sites. Includes Books, Journals, etc. from local universities, and Local periodicals and publications.

Related studies

Related studies is about reviewing or studying existing works carried out in your project/research field. They are studies, inquiries or investigations already conducted to which the present proposed study is related or has some bearing similarity. They are usually unpublished materials such as manuscripts, theses or dissertations.

Foreign

Foreign research, studies, thesis, surveys or any other methods of Research. It is also made by foreign researchers that uses new form or methods to have the best results of their own study in their own country.

Local

Research or studies held within the country. It focuses on research conducted within the researcher’s own country or region.

The importance of literature review in research writing
Sources of related literature and studies

General Sources: introductory textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.

Primary Sources: These provide first-hand information about expert’s and other researcher’s publication such as original research articles, scientific journals, theses, and dissertations.

Secondary Sources: These are written by authors that describe another researcher’s works such as reviews, summaries, textbooks, and reference works.

Credible Online Databases: Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed, and institutional repositories.

Reliable Source

While still need to read critically, here is a list of the types of sources that are often reliable and would be good places to start research:

Characteristics of related literature and studies
  1. RECENT. Findings several years ago may be of little value today because of fast changing lifestyle of the people. This is important because of the rapid social, scientific and technological changes. Try to include related literatures or studies from 0–5 years only.
  2. OBJECTIVE. Some materials are extremely or subtly one sided. Comparison with these materials cannot be made logically and validly. Distorted generalizations may result. Try to search your references from valid and reliable journals.
  3. RELEVANCE. This is very important. Only include studies that have bearing or similarity to the research problem you are conducting. In every 10 reviews you are reading, there could only be one or two studies related to your research.
  4. TRUE FACTS. There are cases where fictitious data are supplied just to complete a research report. Try to comprehend the research you are reviewing.
  5. EXACT. Reviewed materials must not be too few nor too many.
Writing literature review

I. Introduction

Discuss briefly the research problem and the significance of the study. It may also present the organization of the discussion of the claims and arguments of the experts and researchers aligned with the topic.

II. Body

The body contains a narrative of relevant ideas and findings found in the reports of other researchers that support the present research problem. It should be organized in a form of a story that will help the conduct of the research and the analysis and the interpretation of data gathered in the research process.

III. Synthesis

The synthesis presents an overall picture of what is established up to the present and how the review can support the development and conduct of the research. It explains why the review is relevant and helpful to the present research.

IV. Bibliography

This part contains the full bibliographic information of all the sources mentioned in the review. The information list is needed in building the references section of the research paper.