Literature Review (SMART)                 

Literature review is a very important step of research. It involves analysis of books, journals, articles, documentaries etc. related to the topic of research. It will familiarize researchers with work already done in the field of study, methodologies used, results derived, shortcomings, etc. It should be organized precisely summarized and well narrated. It will broaden Knowledges in the area of research and also provides clarity.

Functions                                                                                              

* It provides a theoretical background to your study.

* It helps you establish the links between what you are proposing to examine and what has already, been studied.

* It enables you to show how your findings have contributed to the existing body of kindeledge in your profession.

* It helps you to integrate your research findings into the existing body of knowledge. 

Why review Literature ?

1. Bring out clarity and focus to research process.

2. Improve Research methodologies.

3. Broaden knowledge base in interest area.

4. Comtextualise research findings.

Searching for the existing literature

* To search effectively for the literature in your field of enquiry, you must have at least some idea of the broad subject area and of the problem you wish to investigate, in order to set parameters for your search.

* Compile a bibliography for this broad area. There are three sources that you can use to prepare a bibliography :

Books

Journals

Internet

Reviewing the selected literature

1. Note whether the knowledge relevant to your theoretical framework has been confirmed beyond doubt.

2. Note the theories put forward, the criticisms of these and their basis, the methodologies adopted (study design, sample size and its characteristics, measurement procedures, etc.) and the criticisms of them.

3. Examine to what extent the finding can be generalized to other situations.

* Developing Theoretical and Conceptual Framework.

* Writing - Review of the literature.

                                   or

                  Summary of the literature.

Defining objectives :

                Measurable

                Achievable

                Relevant

               Time framed          

i. Specific

The objective should state exactly what is to be achieved.

ii. Measurable

An objective should be capable of measurement so that it is possible to determine whether (or how far) it has been achieved.

iii. Achievable

The objective should be realistic given the circumstances in which it is set and the resources available to the business.

iv. Relevant

Objective should be relevent to the people responsible for achieving them.

v. Time Bound

objectives should be set with a time-frame in mind. These deadlines also need to be realistic.

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A review of relevant literature is an integral part of the research process. It enables the researcher to formulate his problem in terms of the specific aspects of the general area of his interest that has not been so far researched.

Such a review, not only provides him exposure to a larger body of knowledge but also equips him with enhanced knowledge to efficiently follow the research process.

Through a proper review of the literature the researcher may develop the coherence between the results of his study and those of the others.

A review of previous documents to similar or related phenomena is essential even for the beginning researchers.

To ignore the existing literature may lead to wasted effort on the part of the researchers.

Why spend time merely repeating what other investigators have already done?

If the researcher is aware of earlier studies of his topic, or related topics, he will be in a much better position to assess the significance of his work and to convince others that it is important.

A confident and expert researcher is more crucial in his questioning of the others methodology, the choice of the data, and the quality of the inferences drawn from the study results.

In sum, we enumerate the following argument, in favor of reviewing the literature :

1. It avoids duplication of the work that has been done in the recent past.

2. It helps the researcher to find out what others have learned and reported on the problem.

3. It helps the researcher to become familiar with the types of methodology followed by others.

4. It helps the researcher to understand what concepts and theories are relevant to his area of investigation.

5. It helps the researcher to understand if there are any significant controversies, contradictions and inconsistencies in findings.

6. It allows the researcher to understand if there are any unanswered research questions.

7. It might help the researcher to develop an analytical framework.

8. It will help the researcher to consider the inclusion of variables in his research that he might not otherwise have through about.

Notes : 

Question : 

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