THE ROLE of

LITERATURE
in
RESEARCH
REPORTS
A topic literature review will Proposal literature Methodology literature
provide: review review will provide:

Definitions Introduction Methodological

History Rationale assumptions
Key studies Context Debates
Theories (Theoretical Framework) Indicative review Arguments
Concepts (Conceptual Framework) Issues
Themes Problems
Topics maps Data instruments
Key questions and problems Research Designs
Debates and Issues Validity and reliability
Current situations Findings
Conclusions
Recommendations
and will help you to Your topic .and this will help you to
identify: Your research identify:

Knowledge gaps Methodological problems

Definitional problems Empirical gaps
Theoretical problems Political issues
DEFINITIONS
A literature review is usually a critique of the status
of knowledge on a carefully defined topic.
(McMillan & Schumacher, 2010)

Related literature is that which is obviously relevant

to the problem. (McMillan & Schumacher, 2010)
e.g previous research with the same variables
or a similar question
references to theory
references to empirical testing of theory
studies of similar practices
Purposes of the literature review
Historical background your research is situated in a
context with a history, e.g. sequence of events or policy
changes that led up to the current situation. Highlight
differing interpretations of events, policies and research
findings
Contemporary context current topics of debate in the field
and directions of recent and ongoing research. Linked
closely to the discussion of significance and therefore
justification of the research
Purposes of literature review (cont)
Theoretical underpinnings discuss the theories and
concepts you intend to draw on to provide direction for your
research and to help you make sense of your data
What is a theory?
A framework which offers an explanatory device, often in
the form of categories and relationships.
In science, it is most likely to be a proposition which both
explains and predicts relationships between phenomena.
In social sciences live is not so clear cut.
Purposes of the literature review (cont)

Definition and discussion of relevant terminology

Previous research and its limitations (the gap, the
challenge, and/or extension)
The significance of the issue being researched
Task: Reflect on your own research
Consider your own proposed research. Use the table below
as a template, consider and note down information which
might be relevant for you to incorporate your review, in
relation to each of the suggested purposes of the literature
review. Think of the information that you want to include and
not the order in which you will present it.
My research topic
Research questions
he purposes of the Literature
T Relevant points to include in Key
review relation to your own research references
Historical background
Contemporary context
Theories and concepts
Relevant terminology
Previous research and its
limitations
Significance of the issue being
researched
Sources of information
Journal articles
Books
Grey literature - Reports, theses, dissertations, conference
proceedings, research in progress, media reports, letters,
diaries
Web sites
Conducting the review of the literature
Make useful notes
Do not overdo (especially on facts)
Analyse and evaluate rather than copy
Maintain insight of the bigger picture

Ask yourself:
How will this article help me to understand my research
problem better?
SOURCES
- What is included/excluded is significant. Justify must
demonstrate that you are aware of what you have left out.
Include a range of sources (books, journal articles, internet,
newspaper reports, etc.)

- Recent developments must be emphasised

- Mainly primary sources; secondary sources only

selectively. Balance recent sources and primary sources.
Use secondary sources for example, when the primary
source is written in a language you do not understand, book
is out of print, seminal work.
Manage the literature
Database system Endnote; Word ref; Mendeley

Record your literature sources!

STRUCTURE: Create a framework

Identify the central issues to be addressed,

identify sub-themes
main headings and sub-headings
= framework
This could be done using the sub-questions (objectives) the literature
should address each objective in turn

Use this framework to explain to the reader what the

literature review wants to accomplish
Some references and notes might become redundant in this
process
discard them as irrelevant
Gaps in the framework might become apparent
explore the literature further
Visualise the structure of your review
Basic framework

Introduction: Purpose
Scope
Critical review: Concept clarification
Logical organization
Not summary of one study after the other
Studies are classified, compared
Major studies in detail, minor studies in groups
Organise chronologically by topic/idea, not by author
Critique design and methodology
Relevance of each study to research problem
Summary: Overall interpretation + understanding of problem
Status of knowledge in field
Identifies gaps
Justifies research
Methodological implications could provide rationale for
design to follow
The literature review architecture
Put together an argument for your literature review and
draw on your source texts to provide support for your
assertions.

Argument steps Relevant references and page

numbers
Example of the architecture of a lit. review
Argument steps
Limited pervious research on
comparison of goal theories
Introduce Rubicon model: action
phases as means of categorising goal
theories
Pre-dicisional action phase
Pre-actional phase
Actional phase
Relevant references
Bagozzi & Kimmel, 1995
Heckhausen, 1987
Bandura, 1977
Latham & Locke, 1991
Baumeister et al., 1998
Important considerations
A literature review should be organised around concepts
and issues or arguments - not authors;

Choice and weightings of articles demonstrate your

understanding; and

A literature review does not simply summarise literature. It

critically discusses concepts, theories and methodologies.
Voices

In the literature review section, the literature

speaks

In the data presentation and analysis

sections, the data speak

In the data interpretation and discussion as

well as in the recommendations, the
researcher speaks
RESOURCES CONSULTED
Ary D, Jacobs LC & Razavieh, A. 2006. Introduction to research in
education. Wadsworth: Thomson.

De Vos AS, Strydom H, Fouch CB & Delport CSL. 2004. Research at

grass roots: for the social sciences and human service professions.
Pretoria: Van Schaik.

NMMU. Faculty of Education. 2007. Template for preliminary research

proposal for Masters and Doctoral studies. Port Elizabeth.

McMillan JH & Schumacher S. 2010. Research in education: a

conceptual introduction. New York: HarperCollins.

Rugg G & Petre M. 2007. A gentle guide to research methods.

Berkshire: Open University Press.
Ridley, D. (2012). The literature review. A step-by-step guide for
students (2nd ed.). Thousand Oakes: Sage.