1. BUSE4020
08 APRIL 2013
By: Wonder Isaac Sibanda 1

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

3. What is literature review?
 Use of ideas in the literature to justify:
 the particular approach to the topic,
 the selection of methods, and
 demonstration that this research contributes something new.
 An effective and quality literature review is one that:
 demonstrate appropriate breadth and depth,
 rigor & consistency,
 clarity & brevity and
 effective analysis & synthesis.
 Creates a firm foundation for advancing knowledge, facilitates
theory development, closes gaps in literature & uncover areas
where research is still needed
 Systematic and traditional literature reviews
 Rigorous, well defined approach to reviewing literature
 NB: This is an essential part of your research paper!!

4. Why conduct a literature review?
 to identify gaps in the literature
 to avoid reinventing the wheel
 to carry on from where others have already reached (reviewing the field allows
you to build on the platform of existing knowledge and ideas)
 to show your ability to critically evaluate, integrate and synthesis relevant &
existing literature
 to increase your breadth of knowledge of your subject area
 to provide the intellectual context for your own work, enabling you to
position your project relative to other work
 to identify opposing views
 to identify information and ideas that may be relevant to your project
 to identify methods that could be relevant to your project
 to keep up with recent developments in your area of research
 Illustrates the importance of the topic
 Shows the lack of research on the topic

5. The literature review process
Select a research topic
Identify and gather the relevant literature
Read and analyse the relevant literature (literature
review processing)
Write the review
References
NB: we have already covered the first step!!

6. Identify and gather the relevant
literature
Comprehensiveness and relevance are key
Use library and internet mostly
Key word searches most common
Identify landmark or classic studies and theorists as these
provide you with a framework/context for your study
Developments in the area you are studying
Only gather relevant and key literature for your study
Preview of articles and dividing it into themes, theories or
categories
Look for original ideas or theories/ authors
Standard: about 10 to 20 quality articles

7. Read and analyse the relevant
literature
 Reading the articles:
 Read the easier articles first. Read the difficult, condensed or poorly
written articles last
 Scan the article by identifying the research question, specific
hypothesis, the findings, the interpretation of findings
 Preview, Question, Read, Summarise (PQRS system) (Cohen, 1990)
 Read for in-depth understanding. Identify precise methods used and
theories tested.
 Group articles according to theories, ideas, methodology etc.
 Identify major trends or patterns
 Identify gaps in the literature, and reflect on why these might exist
 Keep your analysis focused on your topic
 Summarise the literature in table or concept map format!!

8. Literature review: processing
Know the material
 Demonstrated by activities such as listing, defining describing and
identifying
At the very least, you should show you have read the article and
extracted meaningful information
Comprehend the material
 Demonstrated by activities such as summarizing, differentiating,
interpreting and contrasting
You at least know the meaning and significance of the information
Apply
 Demonstrated by activities such as illustrating, solving, relating
and classifying
 At least show you know the meaning , significance and capability
and ability to use the information

9. Literature review: processing
contie.
Analyse
 Demonstrated by activities such as separating, connecting
comparing, selecting and explaining
It entails why the information being presented is of importance
Synthesise
 entails activities such as combining integrating, modifying,
rearranging, designing, composing and generalising
The essence being to assemble literature on a concept into a
whole that exceeds the sum parts
Evaluate
 Includes activities such as assessing, deciding, recommending
selecting, judging explaining discriminating supporting and
concluding
So as to clearly distinguish among opinions, theories, and empirical
facts.

10. Writing the literature review
Structure and organisation of information in an objective
manner is very crucial
Ideas should flow, clearly demonstrate your knowledge and
consistency
It should read like a critical evaluation of the information
available on the topic
Consensus or differences, inconsistencies or contradictions,
strengths and weaknesses should be outlined
Avoid just summarising!!
 Analyse, apply, synthesis and evaluate information
The literature review has an introduction, body and
conclusion

11. Working with literature: Tips
 FIND IT
 Using available resource
 Honing your research skills
 MANAGE IT
 Read efficiently
 Keep track of references
 Highlight important information
 USE IT
 Choose your topic
 Arguing your rationale, inform your study with theory, design methodology
 REVIEW IT
 Understand the review’s purpose,
 ensure adequate coverage,
 write purposefully
 Work on style and tone

12. Most problems encountered when
writing literature review (check
list)
Lack of organisation or structure
Lack of focus, unity and coherence
Being repetitive and verbose
Failing to cite influential papers
Failing to keep up with recent developments
Failing to critically evaluate cited papers
Citing irrelevant or trivial papers
Depending too much on secondary sources