JMJ Marist Brothers

Notre Dame of Marbel University

College of Business Administration

LECTURE NOTES NO. 3 IN MM 141 AND FM 141

(THE RESEARCH FORMAT)

CHAPTER 2 (REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE)

I. Review of Related Literature

This includes brief and topical presentation of relevant published or unpublished

researches, theses or dissertations conducted locally or foreign /internationally which are not
necessarily arranged in chronological order but should have relationship or similarity with the
present study. It also includes literatures related to the research topic written by persons who
are authorities on the topic under study.

A Review of Related Literature is the process of collecting, selecting, and reading

books, journal articles, reports, abstracts, and other reference materials, including electronic
sources (CD-ROM) and the world wide web (www/http) to get relevant information about the
problem under investigation. From the various sources, information on the following may be
collected:

1. Background information about the problem and related concepts

2. Theories that explain the existence of the problem and the possible connection between
certain factors and the problem
3. Data that confirm the existence and seriousness of the problem
4. General and specific findings of studies related to the problem
5. Recommendations for further studies given in related studies

II. Why Review Literature?

A review of literature is a must in research. Related literature can help a researcher

identify and develop a research problem, formulate a research framework, and identify and use
appropriate research methodologies and tools.

1. Related literature helps the researcher identify and define a research problem. A new
problem may arise from vague results, conflicting findings, or inability of study variables
to adequately explain the existence of the problem.
2. A review of related studies helps justify the need for studying a problem. When findings
of related studies are not clear or do not provide adequate/conclusive answers to
certain issues or questions, then the conduct of a study is justified.
3. Related literature helps prevent unnecessary duplication of a study. There are many
research problems that are already over studied and yet, similar studies are being
conducted. If a researcher has adequately reviewed related literature about his/her
study, unnecessary duplication can be avoided.
4. Literature can be a source of a theoretical basis for the study. Correlation studies usually
use or generate theories to explain the research phenomenon under study. Researchers
may use or adopt the same theory or theoretical framework used in the related studies.
5. Literature enables the researcher to learn how to conceptualize a research problem and
properly identify and operationally define study variables.

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 6. Related studies provide a basis for identifying and using appropriate research design. It
also helps in the formulation or refinement of research instruments.
7. Results of related studies provide lessons for data analysis and interpretation. Findings
of a study can be compared to findings of related studies.

III. When to Start Reviewing Related Literature?

While the research problem is still being conceptualized, the researcher must already
start reviewing literature. In identifying and defining the research problem, the researcher must
be able to show evidences that the problem really exists and is worth investigating. Information
regarding the existence, seriousness, and relevance of the problem can be gleaned from
literature.

It is important that the researcher knows what is already known about the problem or
what earlier researchers have found about it and what questions still need to be answered
before the research questions or objectives are finalized.

Theories, which researchers use to explain the existence of a research problem and used
as bases in analyzing relationships between variables can be generated from reference books
on theories or from related studies. The researcher, therefore, must have already read
adequate literature at the start of a research activity.

IV. What to Review and Where to Get the Materials

A. General Reference
General references show where to locate other sources of information related to a
certain topic. Examples of general references available in most libraries are:
1. Indexes
2. Reviews
3. Abstracts

Indexes are usually published by field of specialization.

B. Primary Sources
Results of many research studies are published in journals, or monographs. These
articles or reports are generally written by those who actually conducted the study, thus,
they are called primary sources. Many research journals are published monthly, quarterly
or yearly.

C. Secondary Sources
Secondary sources refer to publications where authors cite the work of others. The
most common secondary sources are books, reviews, yearbooks and encyclopedias.
Secondary sources are good references for overview of the problem.

V. Steps in Literature Review

In reviewing related literature, the following steps may be followed:

1. Review the precise definition of the research problem. Note the key variables
specified in the study objectives and hypothesis.
2. Formulate search terms (key words or phrases) pertinent to the problem or
question, or interest. Here is an example:

Problem: Adolescents Perceptions on the Effect of Punishment on Self-Esteem and

Academic Performance

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 (The possible search terms could be punishment and learning, self-esteem and
performance, self-worth, and reinforcement.

3. Using the indexes of general references, search for relevant primary and secondary
sources guided by the search terms. Start with the most recent issue and work
backwards. Next, search for the sources listed under terms synonymous or related to
the search terms. For example, in a study on students decision to enrol in college,
after tracking sources listed under students decision, look up on consumers
decision or consumers behaviour.
4. List in a note or index card the bibliographical data of the pertinent sources selected
(Note: Please refer to the APA format the appropriate and proper way of writing the
bibliographic entries)
5. Read the selected reading materials, type/take note and summarize key points. Notes
can be written in note cards for easy retrieval and classification (Note: You can also
type the notes in your laptop, computer notebook, or iPad). In taking notes, be as brief
as possible, but include all relevant information which you can use in your full review,
such as:
a. The problem in the literature being reviewed
b. The objectives and hypothesis in the literature
c. The procedures of the study that is being reviewed
d. Major findings of the study being reviewed
e. Conclusions in the study being reviewed

VI. Writing the Literature Review

After taking notes from the different sources reviewed, the researcher prepares the
final review. Here are the parts that are commonly included the review of related literature:

A. Introduction. The Introduction briefly describes the nature of the research problem and
explains what led the researcher to investigate the question. The summary presents the
main topics covered in the literature review section.

B. Body. The body of review briefly reports what experts think or what other researchers
have found about the research problem. Studies done on one key element or factor of
the research problem are reviewed under the topic followed by studies done on other
aspects of the problem. The common findings of several studies are summarized in one
or two sentences and only when necessary, some specific findings of each study may be
presented.

C. Summary/Synthesis. The summary/synthesis of the literature review ties together the

major findings of the studies reviewed. It presents a general picture of what has been
known or thought about the problem to date. It points out similar results, as well as
conflicting findings.

This includes the summary of the relatedness or similarities of the studies and
literatures reviewed to the present research work. The use of the following phrases
could help write the synthesis of the study:

The study conducted byprovidesfor

This study has similarity to that ofin the following aspects
Like the previous study presented, this study will also
This study is similar to that ofin terms of
The concept presented byhas a bearing on this study in the sense
This study is closely related to the study conducted by

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 D. Conclusion. This part presents the course of action suggested by the literature. Based on
the state of knowledge revealed by the literature, the researcher could further justify
the need for his/her study.

Sources

David, F. P. (2002). Understanding and Doing Research: A Handbook for Beginners. Fely P.
David, Ed.D. Social Science Research Institute, Central Philippine University. Iloilo City,
Philippines.

Mendoza, D. P. (2011). Research Writing Manual (Draft Copy). Notre Dame of Marbel
University, College of Business Administration. Philippines

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