Final Exam Review for Research Methodology (RES301):
1. Define the term “Review of Literature”, and what is objectives and significance of review of
literature?
A literature review is an evaluative report of information found in the literature related to
your selected area of study. The review should describe, summaries, evaluate and clarify
this literature. It should give a theoretical base for the research and help you (the author)
determine the nature of your research. Works which are irrelevant should be discarded and
those which are peripheral should be looked at critically. The objectives of literature review:
oExpand understanding of the management dilemma.
oLook for ways others have addressed and/or solved problems similar to the
management dilemma.
oGather background information on the topic to refine the research questions.
oIdentify sources for and actual sample frames that might be used in sample design.
The significance of literature review:
oFacilitates in selecting a research problem - most simple method of formulating
precisely the research problem.
oHelps in two ways: surfaces researches already done in the same field and makes
aware of the current research.
oFacilitates in formulating relevant hypotheses.
oDemarcates the boundaries of the research presently undertaken.
oEstablishes the size and extent of the research to be undertaken.
oExamines the procedures and instruments for employing in research.
oAssesses the theme in better perspective in the light of several theories and models.
oJustifies the contribution of the theme to the existing body of knowledge.
oAvoids unnecessary repetition of research already undertaken.
oHelps in building the quality of research material.
oDevelops the ability of the researcher to recognize and select the relevant materials
used for research.
oFacilitates in critical understanding towards others’ research.
oDiscovers inconsistencies, wrong designs and incorrect statistical conclusions.
2. Explain the need of review of the literature and enumerate the sources of review of literature.
The needs:
oDefine the problem or questions.
oConsult encyclopedia, dictionaries, hand books, text books to identify key terms or
events relevant to the problem or questions.
oApply these key terms or events in searching indexes, bibliographies and the web to
identify specific secondary sources.
oLocate and review specific secondary sources for relevance.
oEvaluate the value of each source and its contents.
oSummarize the writers thought in your own words.
oHelps in eliminating the danger of plagiarism, also force the researcher to
understand the information.