This document outlines the process and importance of reviewing literature for research. It discusses reviewing literature as an essential preliminary task to acquaint oneself with existing knowledge in an area of interest. The literature review contributes to clarifying the research problem, improving methodology, broadening knowledge, and contextualizing findings. The procedure involves searching literature, reviewing selections critically, and developing theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Overall, reviewing literature prevents duplicating past work, increases knowledge to refine the research problem, and gives confidence that a particular study is needed by identifying gaps.

1. Step 2: Reviewing the literature
• Essential preliminary task in order to acquaint yourself
with the available body of knowledge in your area of
interest.
• Literature review is integral part of entire research
process and makes valuable contribution to every
operational step.
• Reviewing literature can be time-consuming, daunting
and frustrating, but is also rewarding. Its functions are:
– Bring clarity and focus to your research problem;
– Improve your methodology;
– Broaden your knowledge;
– Contextualise your findings.

2. Procedure for reviewing the literature
1. Search for existing literature in your area of
study;
2. Review the literature selected;
3. Develop a theoretical framework;
4. Develop a conceptual framework.

3. Review of Literature
Critically review the literature on the problem under study:
• Any such work done by other in the past.
• State whether you want to confirm the findings.
• Challenge the conclusion.
• Extend the work further.
• Bridge some gaps in the existing knowledge.

4. Use of literature review
• It prevents you from duplicating work that has
been done before.
• It increases your knowledge on the problem
you want to study and this may assist you in
refining your "statement of the problem".
• It gives you confidence why your particular
research project is needed.
• To be familiar with different research methods

5. References that are identified
• Should first be skimmed or read
• Then summaries of the important
information in each of the references
may be recorded on separate index cards
• These should then be classified so that
the information can easily be retrieved

6. The index cards should contain
• Key words
• A summary of the contents of books or
articles which is relevant to your study
• A brief analysis of the content, with comments
such as: how information from that particular
study could be used in your own study
• Information obtained from key persons could
also be summarized on the index card

7. Reviewing literature should answer:
• How much is known?
• What is not known?
• What should be done based on what is
lacking?

8. • Overall, the literature review should be adequate,
relevant and critical.
• While reviewing a literature give emphasis to
both positive and negative findings and avoid any
distortion of information to suit your own study
objectives.
• Finally, after an exhaustive literature review,
summarize the findings and write a coherent
discussion by indicating the research gap which
supports the undertaking of your study.
Summary