108 BR Chapter 3

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/108-br-chapter-3 1/26

Reviewing the

Literature

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Index Functions of literature review in

research

Procedure for reviewing the literature

Writing up the literature reviewed

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


FUNCTIONS OFLITERATURE

REVIEW

Bring ClarityAnd Focus

Improve theMethodology

Broaden the Knowledge

Base in research area

Contextualise

the Findings

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Brings clarity and focus to

research problem

Shaping the research problem

Helping in understanding the subject area Helping in conceptualizing the research

problem clearly and precisely

Helping in understanding the relationship

between ones research problem and the bodyof knowledge in the area

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Improves the Methodology

Tells about Methodologies used by

others Methods and Procedures that worked

for others

Problems and pitfalls faced by others

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Broadens the Knowledge Base Ensures that one reads widely around

the subject area to know

What others have found on the subject

What theories have been put forward

What gaps exist in the relevant body of knowledge

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Contextualise the findings Helps to find how ones findings fit in

the existing body of knowledge

Comparing ones answers with that of theothers

Telling the contributions one have been

able to make Difference in ones findings from those of

the others

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


PROCEDURE FOR REVIEWING THELITERATURE

Required when you dont have anyspecific problem

Gradually narrow down your findings

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Steps for conducting literature

review

1. Search for existing literature in yourarea of study

2. Review the literature selected

3.

Develop a theoretical framework4. Develop a conceptual framework

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Search for existing literature

sources

Books Journals

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Method for searching from

sourcesBooks

Look at your catalog

Ask your liberarian tohelp

Publication of bookreview can help youto find out yourmaterial

Journals

Indices of journals

Abstract of articles Citation indices

You can get both data in the printed or in digital form

from the net

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Procedure for Books Use subject catalogue or keywords to select

book of your interest.

Carefully go through these books Get the photocopy or printout of relevant

topics After selecting 10-15 books examine the

bibliography of each Prepare a list of books for essential readings Again review the books and keep only relevant

books

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Procedure for Journals Proceed in the same way

Gives the most up to date data

Consider as many journals as you can

Prepare of list of journals by

Locating the hard copy Looking at citation or abstract

Searching electronic database

Using internet

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Contd. Start with latest journal

If you find any data related to your fieldthen get it .

Prepare a summary for records

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Review the literature selected

Till now you have found several useful

books and journals Start reading them critically to get the

themes or issues they are associated to

To develop rough frame work use

separate sheet of paper for each article Using that framework, Slot the findings

from the material so far reviewed in aseparate sheet

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Critically read To add more themes read critically

with following aspects1. Note whether the knowledge relevant

to your theoretical framework has beenconfirmed beyond doubt

2. Note the theories put forward, the

criticism these and their basis, themethodologies adopted and the critismsof these

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Contd.3. Examine to what extent the finding can

be generalized to other situations

4. Notice where there are significantdifferences of opinion among researchersand give your opinion about the validity ofthese differences

5. Ascertain the areas in which little ornothing is known the gaps that exist inthe body of knowledge.

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


ExampleDeveloping a theoretical framework- the relationship

between mortality and fertility:

Fertility- trends, theories, indices and critique of them,factors affecting fertility, methods of controlling fertility.

Mortality- factors affecting mortality, mortality indicesand their sensitivity in measuring change in mortality

levels of a population, various trends on so on. The relationship between fertility and mortality-

theories that have been used to explain the relationshipand their implications.

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Literature Review of the example can be

written under following headings

Fertility theories

The theory of demographic transition

Trends in fertility-global, and then narrow it to nationaland local levels

Methods of contraception-their acceptance andeffectiveness

Factors affecting mortality

Trends in mortality Measurement of mortality indices

Relationship between fertility and mortality ie. differenttheories.

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Develop a Conceptual Framework

It consists of theories or issues in which

your study is embedded

It stems from the theoretical framework

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Writing up the Literature

reviewed

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


The two broad functions of literature review

are:-

To provide a theoretical background to your

study- identify and describe various theories,

specify gaps in existing knowledge in the area,recent advances, current trends and so on .

To enable you to contextualise in relation toexisting body of knowledge- integrate your results

with specific and relevant findings by comparing

the two for confirmation or contradiction.

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Themes and subheadingsWhile reading the literature, certain main themes should

be converted into subheadings which should be:-

Precise

Descriptive of the theme in question

Follow a logical progression

Under each subheading:- Record the main findings

Highlight the reasons for and against any argument

Identifying gaps and issues

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Sample of outline of a literature

review

Inter-country adoption in western

Australia (a profile of adoptive families)

The literature was reviewed under the following themes:-

introduction (introductory remarks about adoption)

History and philosophy of adoption

Reasons for adoption

Trends in adoption (global and national)

Intercountry adoption

History of intercountry adoption in western Australia

8/8/2019 108 BR Chapter 3


Sample continued.. Trends in intercountry adoption in western Australia

The adoption act in western Australia The adoption process in western Australia

Problems and issues in adoption

Gaps in the literature (in this case it was a lack of

information about those parents who had adoptedchildren from other countries that became thebasis of the study)

108 BR Chapter 3

Documents

Transcript of 108 BR Chapter 3