Review of Related Literature

Lecture 3
 Research Process
– The Research Problem
– Formulation of Research Objectives
– Review of Related Literature
– Delimitation of the Research Problem
– Formulation of Testable Hypothesis
– Identification of Research Variables
– Construction of Research Design
– Designing Tools for Data Collection
– Designing Plan for Data Analysis
– Collection of Data
– Data Processing
– Data Analysis and Interpretation
– Drawing Conclusions and
Recommendations
– Writing of Research Report
– Reporting of Research Findings
 Related Literature
• Composed of discussions of facts and
principles to which the present study is
related

• Materials which are usually printed and found

in books, encyclopedias, professional journals,
magazines, newspapers, and other
publications
IMPORTANCE, PURPOSES, AND
FUNCTIONS OF RELATED
LITERATURE
1. It helps or guides the researcher in searching
for or selecting a better research problem or
topic
2. It helps the investigator understand his topic
or research better.
3. It ensures that there will be no duplication of
other studies.
4. It provides the conceptual or theoretical
framework of the planned research
5. It gives the researcher a feeling of
confidence
6. It provides information about the research
methods used
7. It provides findings and conclusions of past
investigations
CHARACTERISTICS OF RELATED
LITERATURE MATERIALS
1. The surveyed materials must be as recent as
possible
2. Materials reviewed must be objective and
unbiased
3. Materials surveyed must be relevant to the
study
4. Surveyed materials must have been based
upon genuinely original and true facts or data
to make them valid and reliable.
HOW TO CONDUCT THE REVIEW OF
RELATED LITERATURE
• Visit the school library or other libraries in the
vicinity. Browse over books, magazines,
journals, etc. Be patient.
• Do a computer-aided search through an
electronic database.
– Google Scholar
– Website of journals; Botanicus
• Ask for reprints from experts
• Take down notes on index card or research
notebook. Begin organizing your notes by
devising sections and headings such as:
a. General Information
b. Methods in other studies
c. Support for Objectives 1 and 2.
d. Results to compare with mine.
e. Pros and cons of controversy
• write all bibliographic information, i.e.,
author(s), complete title, publisher, date and
place of publication, and so on

• PARAPHRASE!
GUIDE QUESTIONS
1. Do the accumulated literature indicate gaps
and inconsistencies which you hope to fill?
2. Are the variables adequately described?
3. What data gathering instruments have been
used? Are they reliable and valid tools?
4. Are the target and sampling populations
presented?
5. Were the hypotheses tested and correctly
interpreted?
6. Are the results logical? Are the conclusions
and recommendations data-based?
HOW TO WRITE THE REVIEW OF
RELATED LITERATURE
• Use headings arranged in logical order to
indicate main points
• Avoid too long introduction to your main
topic.
• Include information that are directly related
and relevant to your topic.
• A maximum of half-page (double-space) must
constitute one paragraph
• Do not copy in toto the information from your
source. No more than 10% of the entire paper
is allowed for direct quotation.
• Give due credit to the real source of your data.
Cite the authors at the end of the sentence.
How?
• Paraphrase using your own words and style
the data gathered.
• Summarize important points from your
sources and relate them to your topic.
• Reinforce your data with selected figures or
statistics from your course.
A common problem in writing RRL is
that it can turn onto a boring list
of ideas in paragraph form.
 HOW TO AVOID THE PREVIOUS
• Make subheads (not too many), transitional
phrases and unifying ideas to make
information flow smoothly.
 HOW TO AVOID THE PREVIOUS
• Spice your writing with a variety. Keep your paper alive!

• Author A found out

• Author B found out

• Replace found out with:

– Demonstrates
– presented evidence for
– Supported
– Observed
– Reported
– Examined
– Concluded
• Early in the 1980’s, author A
According to Author A,
 What related literatures should be
included in this problem?
• To investigate the histological effects of neem
seed kernel extract on mouse testis
General Objectives:
To investigate the histological effects of neem seed kernel
extract on mouse testis

Specific Objectives:
1. To identify the changes in testes histology due to neem
seed kernel extract (NSKE) exposure.
2. To determine the relationship between neem seed kernel
extract (NSKE) and occurrence of abnormal sperm
morphology.
3. To provide a feasible physiological basis for the anti-libido
property of neem extract.