Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Graduate School of Management

LITERATURE
REFERS TO ALL SOURCES OF PUBLISHED DATA.

It is the process of exploring the existing literature to ascertain what has been written or otherwise published on your chosen research topic.

Guide to conducting a literature search

Start exploring the literature as soon as possible. Decide the scope of your research and set your parameters accordingly. Determine the keywords. Only collects books, articles, papers, etc. which are relevant to your research.

Guide to conducting a literature search

Use the references given the literature you have collected to guide you to other articles you should collect. When you start to recognize the reference cited in other works, you are nearing the end of your search. In order to keep up to date with the literature, continue your literature throughout the study.

What are secondary data?

Are the data gathered and recorded by someone else prior to the current needs of the researcher.

Advantages: Obtaining secondary data is less expensive. It can usually be obtained rapidly. Disadvantages: Outdated information Variation in definition of terms Different units of measurement Lack of information to verify the data s accuracy

Examples of Secondary Data

Books
Articles in journals, Conference papers magazines and newspapers

Reports
Companies annual reports and accounts

Archives Organizations internal records Electronic databases

Published statistics Newspapers

Films, videos and broadcasts

The internet

CLASSIFICATION OF
SECONDARY DATA
*Internal and propriety data *External data

Recording references
Citation is an acknowledgment within the text of the source from which you have obtained the information. Reference is the detailed description of the source from which you have obtained the information.

Bibliography versus References

References are a detailed list of the sources which have been drawn from and cited in the text of document. Bibliography includes items which were not cited but are relevant to the document.

Example:
Reference for an article: Porter, Michael E. (1990) Competitive advantage of nations , Harvard Business Review, 68, pp 73-85, 87-93. Citation: In an investigation conducted in large factories, it has been reported that absenteeism was higher in the night shift than the day (Gibbs, 1993, p 64).

Reasons for maintaining records

You need to be able to identify the full and accurate reference in order to find or order the material It prevents duplication of effort.

 You can develop links among authors, topics, results and period of time. Others reading your finished work will be able to trace the original sources of information easily.

WHAT IS LITERATURE REVIEW?

It is a review of all the literature done so far on your topic.

Literature review:
As a list As a search As a survey As a vehicle for learning As a research facilitator As a report

Function of a Literature Review

Focuses on previous research Shows how your study fills the gap The necessity for your study Set boundaries

Critical Evaluation
It includes critical examination on the material you have read.

Scope and Length

Scope you may limit your review to include current state of the theory. Length may vary but to include the following:
avoid verbosity your review should demonstrate to synthesize a body of literature brief and focused

Questions in conducting a Literature Review

What has been done before? What have others said? What is the relevance? What is the difference? Agreement and disagreement Are there flaws?

Organizing the Literature Review

Components: Background information Theory Review of the literature on instruments Summary

Background information
Introduce / discuss the topic Describe scope and organization Review past and present literature Clarify the purpose of your study

Theory
All research has a precedent Integrate key points appropriate inferences and make

Be aware of relationship on your topic

Review of Literature on Instruments

Present evidence to support your choice Reliability and validity estimates Description of samples

Summary
Concise account of knowledge and instruments used You have done a thorough background investigation

Organizing information
Arrange the review by key themes or findings and use headings and sub-headings: Example 1: 2. Literature review
2.1 Introduction 2.2 Broader communication issues 2.3 Likely causes of obesity 2.4 Proposed public policy changes to reduce obesity 2.5 Summary of literature and research aims

Organizing information
Example 2:
2.2 Broader communication issues 2.2.1 Advertising 2.3 Likely causes of obesity 2.3.1 Obesity and genetics 2.3.2 Television watching, exercise and obesity 2.3.3 Lifestyle and eating choices 2.3.4 Advertising, children and obesity 2.4 Proposed public policy changes to reduce obesity 2.4.1 Fat and Sin tax 2.4.2 Health education 2.4.3 Advertising restriction

Summarizing the Literature Review

How has the topic been studied? What has been found? Which issues have been highlighted? How have key terms / concepts been used?

Summarizing other s work

Participant information Sample size Location of study Type of study Nature of task Findings Relationship to your work

How to synthesize your research?

Not just a list of the work of others Identify issues highlighted Highlight differences and similarities Identify consensus

Writing the Literature Review

Always begin with an introduction to the review & end with a summary. Make the connection for the reader between the subtopics & the topic. Use direct quotations infrequently. Always cite your sources. Present your knowledge on the topics & subtopics. Summarize each subtopic. Include a transition paragraph from one subtopic to the next.