Methods of Research
Related Literature and Studies
1
Course Module
RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This module entitled, Review of Related Literature and Studies will
provide ideas to students with essential topics for Chapter 2. It will also
explain why theory and proper choice of such theory to include in Chapter 2 is
important in writing Chapter 2 of a research report and provide ways of
searching related studies for researcher’s study.
At the end of the week, college students should be able:
1. Explain the essential topics for Chapter 2;
2. Identify and understand the functions of a theory;
3. Discuss the principles and procedures on how to write related
literature and studies
ESSENTIAL TOPICS FOR CHAPTER 2
The second part of the main body of a research report is the Review of
Related Literature and Studies. This chapter contains two major parts – the
conceptual literature and related studies.
1. Conceptual Literature
It contains literature from different sources such as books, journals
and others, both from local and foreign sources which are significant to
the study. They are more comprehensive than research literature but
data-free or non-empirical material . It is also more readily available
than the research literature.
2. Related Studies
These are empirically based studies – scientific paper, theses,
dissertations (both published and unpublished). Most recent ones should
be included here, should not be more than 10 years (backward counting)
unless it is a historical literature type.
Proper acknowledgement should be given to the writer in doing a
review of related studies and gist of objectives, findings and conclusions
should be gotten and rephrased by the researcher.
CATEGORIES OF LITERATURE REVIEW:
a. Sources of research - readings/excerpts from various research
journals, theses and dissertations.
b. Theoretical literature from different books, articles from
magazines and journals and speeches.
