In celebration of the resumption of schools ordered by the Federal Government of Nigeria today \u2013 the 18th of January 2021, I would like to dedicate this article to one of the project assistance services we render to student researchers. Without any doubt, the literature review is an integral aspect of any research project. It is required to know the past works done on the research area. The chapter two of every project, thesis or dissertation work is mostly composed of the literature review. Do you now know how to go about getting the most useful literature for your research? Which means do you know or use to collect your literature? How do you even know how accurately to select the relevant literature for your particular project? These and more will be learnt in today\u2019s blog article.
\nWhat is even Literature Review?
\nAs its name implies, literature review involves the collation of ideas, views, positions and opinions, expressed in the writings of recognized authorities as well as findings of previous researchers in one\u2019s area of investigation {Issa, 2003}. Similarly, Akinwumiju {2000} describes the review of related literature as involving the systematic identification, location and analysis of documents containing information related to the research problem. It aims at providing information about what had already been done; how they were done and with what results. One of the very early activities in any research investigation is the review of related literature. By this, we refer to the body of research information relating to the present research.All the necessary information needed to put the research in proper context once the research problem has been identified and formulated would derive from the literature review. Until this had been done, the research cannot proceed effectively considering the great amount of information to be sought from a variety of sources-primary and secondary-there is no doubt that the review of related literature is a serious task deserving an equally serious attention. As a result of this, literature review has been considered as \u201ca systematic process that requires careful and perspective reading and attention to detail\u201d {Akinwumiju 2000}. Thus, its goal is to determine what others have learnt or done about similar research problems and to gather information relevant to the current research problem.
\nIts Project Aspect
\nThe Chapter Two of the research project is usually devoted to it. Basically, it serves three purposes namely: –<\/p>\n
To set the theoretical framework for the research project.
\nTo establish the present research efforts within the mainstream of other related ones previously conducted.
\nTo determine the state-of-the-art in that particular area of study (Issa, 2006).How To Determine the Quality of Literature Review
\nTo determine the quality of literature review on any given topic, it is necessary to provide answers to the following questions namely: –<\/p>\n
How wide {or otherwise} is the scope of the literature reviewed?
\nHow up-to-date are the materials\/studies reviewed?
\nHow relevant are the materials reviewed to the subject of the present investigation?
\nHow well organized is the entire literature review?
\nHas it such things as introduction, subheadings, summary and appraisal of reviewed literature?
\nIs it possible to present a summary of the entire review in a paragraph of few sentences?<\/p>\n
The Requirements of a Good Literature Review
\nTo be able to carry out a good work of literature review, one is expected to demonstrate the following abilities namely: –<\/p>\n
The ability to find relevant sources quickly.
\nThe ability to peruse so many sources quickly.
\nThe ability to identify, for further use, all relevant materials contained in the sources perused.
\nThe ability to interpret and organize information accumulated from the various sources consulted (Issa, 2006).7 Methods to a Good Literature Review
\nTo this end, Osuala (1993) identified seven (7) specific procedures as the means by which a good literature review can be carried out successfully namely: –<\/p>\n
Getting a clear picture of the subject under investigation
\nOrientating oneself toward the empirical research done in the broad area in which the problem lies.
\nDemonstrating a good ability of reading at a high rate of speed.
\nSearching for library sources in a systematic and thorough manner.
\nTaking notes systematically in the light of such criteria as uniformity, accuracy and ease of assembly.
\nTaking as complete notes as he might need.
\nRecording references on 3×5 cards, each carrying labels of topic or topics.<\/p>\n
Functions of a Good Literature Review
\nOpeke (1995) quoting from Casteller and Heisler (1977) enumerated the functions of a good literature review to include the following namely: –<\/p>\n
To study the history of the problem.
\nTo aid in the selection of investigative procedure i.e. methodology.
\nTo become familiar with the theoretical background of the problem.
\nTo assess the merits of previous studies.
\nTo avoid unintended duplication.
\nTo justify the selection of the problem.<\/p>\n
By and large, a good literature review enables the researcher to understand previous studies; and to determine the adequacy or otherwise of their design and methodologies and to sharpen his own research focus.Necessary Preparations for Doing a Good Literature Review
\nThe need to spend time to prepare for a good literature review is borne out of the fact that the initial time spent will save one\u2019s time in the long run. Hence, before starting on literature review, you are advised to do the following: –<\/p>\n
Find out what references are available.
\nWhere and when they could be found.
\nGet familiar with library sources within your vicinity.
\nKnow the rules and regulations guiding the use of the library
\nMake a list of key words relating to your research topic so as to guide your literature search.<\/p>\n
Instance of Project Topic and Applicable Literature Review
\nTo put all these theories to practical perspective, if you are an undergraduate student in the department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages for example and are working on the project topic \u201cDialectal Study of the Urhobo Language, Delta State\u201d, you will probably have a literature review from library and even online search with the following keywords:<\/p>\n
Sociolinguistics
\nLanguage contact
\nUrhobo Language
\nSubfields of sociolinguistics
\nDialectology
\nDiglossia
\nMutual intelligibility
\nDialectologists
\nDialect Continuum\/Chain
\nTypes of dialects
\nIsolect
\nStandard variety
\nSociolect
\nRegiolect
\nIdiolect<\/p>\n
From the project topic and the aspect of research, these keywords were highlighted to aid during the search for literature review. These definitely will become handy in the library, on internet search bars and other reference locations. During the search, past works from other researchers can be found that will be instrumental during the compilation of the project work afterwards. Also, it should be noted that not all works found are relevant so one must know how to sieve out the best contents from all of them.Guidelines for Carrying out a Good Literature Review
\nRe-read all notes made during your search exercise so as to refresh your memory and get rid of some works that may no longer seem sufficiently related to your study. The following guidelines would help: –<\/p>\n
Make an outline of all the materials you have consulted.
\nExamine each of the materials with regards to your outline such as to enable you sort out your references into appropriate piles.
\nTake a list of the references identified for a given subheading and examine the relationships and differences between them.
\nEnsure that the review flows in such a way that the references that are not too related to the problem are discussed first, and the most related ones come last.
\nConclude your review with a brief summary of the literature and its implications for your own study. This is usually referred to as Appraisal of the Literature Review (Issa, 2006).<\/p>\n
Things You Must Not Do When Reviewing Literature
\nFor you to achieve a good review of related literature in your field, you need to take note of the following things when reviewing literature: –
\n(a) Do not be in a hurry to do literature review just to get started in your research project. If you do, then you are more likely to over-look previous studies containing ideas that would have helped to improve your work.
\n(b) Avoid the temptation to over-depend on secondary sources at the expense of primary sources. Whereas the former refer to materials, which contain account of events\/phenomena by one who was not a witness to them, the latter contain direct accounts of events by the witness.
\n(c) When reading research articles, avoid the temptation of concentrating on research findings at the expense of valuable information on methods, measures etc.
\n(d) Avoid being too broad or narrow in your literature search as both have obvious disadvantages
\n(e) Ensure that the bibliographic data {references} concerning the materials being reviewed are not wrongly copied. Otherwise, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to locate the materials (Issa, 2006).Our rendered services
\nWe have competent first-class research assistants and graduate scholars who can assist with you with your project, thesis and dissertation works. Apply for any service now and get our resumption promo offer.You can reach out to us now to aid you with your literature review via any of these contacts; +2348107714449 or +2349091884943 on call, text message or even Whatsapp chat. You can as well visit our desk @ www.aosacademy.com\/research-institute. Need materials like past projects, books, articles and journals for your research literature review? Visit our online library via the link: www.aosacademy.com\/library.References
\nAkinwumiju, J. A. (2000). EME 409 Educational Research Methods: External Studies Programme. Ibadan: The Centre for External Studies.
\nIssa, A. O. (2003). \u201cResearch Project and Library Research\u201d. In Kolawole, A. A and A. O Issa. Library and Information Science: An Introductory Text. Offa: Dee Root. PP 72-88.
\nIssa, A. O. (2006). Practical Guides to Project Writing For Students in Polytechnics, Colleges and Universities. Offa, Kwara: Department of Library and Information Science, The Federal Polytechnic, Offa.
\nOpeke, R. (1995). \u201cThe Literature Review\u201d. Paper presented at the Workshop on technical writing and Reporting Skills for Library and Information Professionals. Held at the SS Peter and Paul Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan. 20-22 Nov.
\nOsuala, E.C. (1993). Introduction to Research Methodology Benin City; Ilupeju Press Ltd.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In celebration of the resumption of schools ordered by the Federal Government of Nigeria today \u2013 the 18th of January 2021, I would like to dedicate this article to one of the project assistance services we render to student researchers. Without any doubt, the literature review is an integral aspect of any research project. It […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-55","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/backup.aosacademy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/backup.aosacademy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/backup.aosacademy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backup.aosacademy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backup.aosacademy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/backup.aosacademy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/backup.aosacademy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}