By Kibash
This chapter titled Review of Related Literature is simply concerned with review of what is known about the research problem, what is unknown and what remains inconclusive in literature. It forms the theoretical bases or the foundation of the research work. It involves systematic identification, location and analysis of documents containing information related to a research problem. It is a continuation of previous part of this article; Part I and Part II
Objectives of this Chapter
i) To give in-depth meaning to key terms in the study.
ii) To sharpen, define and understand the existing knowledge in the problem under study.
iii) To enable readers understand the status or level of knowledge in the area of study.
iv) To reveal the gap (research gap) in the existing knowledge related to the study.
v) To acknowledge existing knowledge in the area of study.
Chapter two of an undergraduate research is commonly divided into three major parts, they are:
1. Conceptual Framework
2. Theoretical Framework
3. Empirical Framework
Conceptual Framework
This section deals with review of the meanings of major terminologies used in the study. Existing ideas are explained and defined. For example, a research project with topic like Empirical Analysis of the Determinants of Agricultural Outputs in Nigeria, in the conceptual framework, meaning, purpose, challenges and determinants of agricultural output are explained. Also brief history of Agriculture in Nigeria is needed.
Theoretical Framework
From the name Theoretical which is concerned with the ideas and principles on which a particular subject is based. This is the section simply concerned concerned with the theories on which the research is based. There is need ti be mindful of theories to use, in most cases it is required to make use of economic theories. The theories referred to must have connection with the model(s) to be specified in chapter three.
In this section, there is need to make reference to textbooks in other ti have clear conception of the theory(ies). Theories such as Mundel Growth Theory, Okuns Law, Expenditure Models, Demand and Supply theory, Production theories, Rostow Growth theory, e.t.c.
Empirical Framework
This is concerned with review of past research works related to the study. It contains brief review of different authors' work.
It is not a must that the research works to be reviewed must be of the same topic, but they must be related. For example, a project like Empirical Analysis of the Determinants of Agricultural Output, one could review works like Impact of Agriculture on the Economy, Effect of FDI on productivity in Agricultural sector,e.t.c.
This section leads the researcher to finding the research gap which he/she intends to fill. Points not highlighted, questions that were not asked and issues that were not raised which exist in previous research works. These form what is called the Research Gap.
Steps in Literature Review
In reviewing related literatures, it is necessary to firstly find out what references or materials are available and where they are located.
Secondly, it is necessary to find the sources of these references or materials, the basic source is usually secondary.
The next step is to record, analyse, organise and report the literature.
Finally, it is necessary to give a concluding remark which will include brief summary of the literature and its implications. The research gap is also stated in the concluding remark.
Things to Note in Literature Review
1. Type of research that has been done in the area or research work related to the topic.
2. The findings or conclusions of previous studies.
3. Issues, points or areas that have not been investigated.
4. Methods that were used in previous studies.
5. How the study can add to existing knowledge in the area.
6. Referencing and citation is very necessary and essential.
Citation, Bibliography, Foot notes, End notes and References
The above are very important and essential in literature review, most especially citation and references.
Citation: This is synonymous to quotation, it is usually used when one quote or cite another author directly (word for word). E.g "Corruption has been a bane to Nigeria economy" (Kibash,2015).
Bibliography: This contains list of all documents e.g textbooks, journals, newspapers, magazines, e.t.c., which the researcher used. Irrespective of whether such documents were actually referred to the main research work or not, it must be included in the bibliography if used.
Foot note: This locate the source(s) of quotation(s) or a reference to the work of another author. It is usually placed at the bottom of each page of a book.
End note: This is the same as the footnote except that it is usually placed at the end of each chapter.
It is necessary to note that not all departmental authority make bibliography, foot note and end note mandatory.
References: These tell where particular piece of information. References consist of all documents (books, journals, articles and web content) which are cited in the research. The list will appear at the end of project in alphabetical order of the surnames of author, organisations that wrote the documents. If web content, website retrieved from and date retrieved are important and must be stated.
Referencing is very important as authors, organisations or website that originally own content used must be acknowledged to avoid plagiarism. The widely used and accepted referencing style used in social sciences in most Nigerian universities is the American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style.
Below is a brief help on referencing in chapter two:
i. Referencing an author at the beginning of sentence. Surname of author first, then year of publication in bracket. E.g Segun(2014) asserted that economics is a great course to study.
ii. Referencing an author at the end of a sentence. Surname of author then comma before year of publication, all in bracket. E.g Economics is a great course to study (Segun, 2014).
For further enquiry or help, contact: Kibash on 07068769014 or Saidox on 08060587948
Source: Author's review of Professor G.T Ijaya presentation at project workshop organised by NESA UNILORIN chapter on 16th November, 2015.
No comments:
Post a Comment