Chapter 3: Literature Review

Question 1

Literature Review

Answer 1

• helps to clarify ideas
• establish theoretical base for the study
• enhance knowledge base
• examine your findings in existing body of knowledge

Question 2

Functions

Answer 2

• provides theoretical background
• establish links between previous studies and own study
• integrate research findings in existing body of knowledge
• bring clarity and focus to research problem
• improves research methodology

Question 3

Difference between literature review and summary of literature

Answer 3

Literature Review: main finding organized around main themes, everything is described
Summary of Literature: description of significant findings of relevant information

Question 4

Questions Literature Review should answer

Answer 4

• what is already known?
• what is not known?
• what questions are unanswered?
• what theories have been put forward relevant to your area of research?
• what suggestions have been made for further research?
• what research strategies have been employed by others?

Question 5

Steps in conducting a literature review

Answer 5

1. searching for the existing literature in your area of study
2. reviewing selected literature
3. developing a theoretical framework
4. developing conceptual framework

Question 6

Sources for Literature Review

Answer 6

• books
• journals
• conference papers
• internet

Question 7

Developing Theoretical Framework

Answer 7

sort out information

Question 8

Contradiction with the development of the theoretical framework

Answer 8

• no literature review, no theoretical framework
• no theoretical framework, no efficient literature review

Solution: read some literature and attempt to develop a framework

Question 9

Conceptual Framework

Answer 9

• basis of research problem
• stems from theoretical framework
• filter among theories included in theoretical framewotk