Review of literature S. Balakrishnan

What is literature review? The terms literature search, literature review and literature survey are one and the same and these are used interchangeably. It means, in simple words, going through what is already said (published) about the topic/aspect you have chosen to research.

Why review literature? While planning a study the first thing one should do is a literature search on the topic chosen for the work. Why? The idea for research may be an excellent one. But there is a possibility that the same or similar idea had occurred to someone else who has already carried out experiments and published the results a long time ago. Unless a literature search is carried out, it is not possible to know whether the proposed research work has already been done. No search or inadequate search might lead to duplication of the work others have already done. This is a waste of time, energy and resources. One will probably end up reinventing the wheel!

Advantages of literature review : Literature search will reveal : (1) the aspects/topics researched and not researched - Choose to study the not-yet-researched aspect/topic so that your work is original. (2) the pitfalls/weaknesses in other studies - Rectify them in your study. (3) the difficulties faced by the other workers - Be prepared and avoid them. (4) a better or modified procedure/method of experimentation - Do not hesitate to use it.

Advantages of literature review : 5)the details of use of modern equipment and/or software - Procure and use it, if possible. (6) the details of dose of drugs, animal model, number of subjects and statistical methods of data analysis - Make use of the details to design your study. (7) the data of primary and ancillary variables - You might need them to calculate the sample size for the current study.

The Review of the Literature Annotated Bibliography –Each work is independently reviewed. –Works organized by subject The Review Essay (preferred) –Information is organized and explained A Review of Literature is NOT a summary or an abstract of articles. It IS an analysis and synthesis of the source materials, written in a specific style which flows from broad to narrow, and takes into account both the theoretical and empirical issues.

The purpose of the survey is to: Place each work in the context of its contribution to the understanding of the subject under review Describe the relationship of each work to the others under consideration Identify new ways to interpret, and shed light on any gaps in, previous research Resolve conflicts among seemingly contradictory previous studies Identify areas of prior scholarship to prevent duplication of effort Point the way forward for further research Place one's original work in the context of existing literature The literature review itself, however, does not present new primary scholarship.

Objectives What? Why? How?

What is Literature Review (LR) major part of research your presentation, evaluation, analysis and feedback on the theoretical framework provided by other scholars has an organisational pattern –combines both summary and synthesis

Why to write LR? familiarizes theoretical & practical issues offers orientation & up to date information with what is current in the field provides background and clarify the relationship between your topic and previous work avoids duplication of work furnishes reasons why your topic is important enough to be researched gives emphasis to the credibility of the writer

Why to write LR? yields important information –research findings, facts & statistics –theory and interpretation –methods and procedures –opinions, beliefs, point of view

How to write LR? Source ↓ Search ↓ Sort & Select ↓ Summarise & Synthesise

Sources* Journal articles Books and book chapters Conferences & Conference proceedings Electronic sources –CD-ROM/DVD –Journal article on the Internet –Book/Monograph on the Internet –Web site * any source which can be authenticated

Search prepare a list of key words manual (Index medicus) electronic (internet/CD)

Sort & Select don’t simply list all the sources go into details about each one of them critical appraisal & select

Summarise & Synthesise find out what themes or issues connect your sources together –do they present same or different solution? –is there any aspect of the field that is missing? –do they reveal a trend in the field?

Summarise & Synthesise introduction body –chronological –thematic –methodological conclusion –describes your topic highlighting why it is important to address the problem you have investigated

Literature review - check list Have you accessed the most recent literature of relevance to your topic? Have you accessed the seminal source? Do you refer to major books, journals & electronic sources? Does the LR bind together or is it merely a shopping list of books & articles? Is the review critical? Does it explain the research question?