REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE

Benefits of Conducting a Literature Review

1. It can offer new ideas, perspectives, and approaches that may not
have occurred to you.
2. It can inform you about other researchers who conduct work in the
same area.
3. It can show you how others have handled methodological and design
issues in studies similar to your own.
4. It can reveal sources of data that you may not have known existed.
5. It can introduce you to measurement tools that other researchers
have developed and used effectively.
6. It can reveal methods of dealing with problem situations that may be
similar to the difficulties you are facing.
7. It can help you interpret and make sense of your findings and,
ultimately, help you tie your results to the work of those who have
preceded you.
8. It will bolster/strengthen/enhance your confidence that your topic is one worth
studying
because you will find that others have invested considerable time,
effort, and resources in studying it.
In short: the more you know about investigations and perspectives
related to your topic, the more effectively you can tackle
your own research problem.

Principal Systems for Classification of Knowledge

Dewey Decimal system: Classifies knowledge according to 10 basic areas of human
knowledge, each divided decimally. The main classification system in public libraries
and probably the most generally accepted system worldwide.
NOTE: Arrange books by subject and each is issued a shelfmark number usually
found on its spine. It is arranged in numerical order The 10 basic areas of human
knowledge are as follows: General Knowledge (000), Philosophy and Psychology
(100), Religion (300), languages (400), Science (500), Technology (600), Art and
Recreation (700), Literature (800), and History and Geography (900)
Library of Congress system: Classifies knowledge by alphabetical categories. The
main classification system used in college and university libraries.
A classification system uses letters and/or numbers (call numbers). It is designed to
be more specific and detailed, allowing for more accurate retrieval of information.
For instance, the call numbers for math books are QA and a number.
Sources and Strategies for Locating Related Literature
1. Identify one or more keywords.
2. Use the library catalog.
3. Use indexes, abstracts, and other general references.
4. Use the library’s online database:
- JSTOR
- Web of Science
- WorldCat.
- EBSCO
- Libgen
- DOST Starbooks
- z-library
5. Explore government publications:
- www.gpoaccess.gov.
6. Search the World Wide Web.
7. Examine citations and reference lists of those who have
gone before you.
Practical Application: Conducting a Literature Search

Using paper and pencil or brainstorming software:

1. Write the problem in its entirety at the top of the page.

2. Write each subproblem in its entirety.

3. Identify the important words and phrases in each subproblem.
4. Translate these words and phrases into specific topics you must learn
more about—these become your “agenda” as you conduct the
 literature search.
5. Go to the library to seek out resources related to your agenda.
6. Read!
EXAMPLE 1.
Research Title: Some factors Related to Problem-Solving Ability of Senior Students in
Mathematics
Research Specific Questions/Subproblems

1. What is the relationship between student’s ability to translate verbal

mathematics statements to symbolic forms?
Important Words and Phrases: ability to translate verbal mathematics
statements to symbolic forms
Specific Topic: Translation of verbal mathematics statements to symbolic form
2. Is there a correlation between reading comprehension level and
a) ability to translate verbal mathematics statements to symbols
b) Ability to solve mathematics problems?
Important Words and Phrases : Reading comprehension level
Ability to translate verbal mathematics
statements to symbols
Ability to solve mathematics problems
Specific Topics: Reading Comprehension
Translation of verbal mathematics statements to symbolic
form
Problem Solving Ability in Mathematics
3. Is there a difference between students’ ability to solve mathematics problem of
those who have positive and negative attitude mathematics?
Important Words and Phrases: Students’ ability to solve mathematics problem
Positive attitude towards mathematics
Negative attitude towards mathematics
Specific Topic: Problem Solving Ability in Mathematics/Mathematics Problem
Solving Ability
 Attitude in Mathematics/Students’ Attitude in Mathematics

The specific topics/themes for the review of related literature are the
following:
 Problem Solving Ability in Mathematics
 Translation of verbal mathematics
statements to symbolic form
 Reading Comprehension
 Attitude in Mathematics/Students’
Attitude in Mathematics
EXAMPLE 2.
Research Title: PREDICTORS OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS AT ISUC

Research Specific Questions/Subproblems:

1. What is the profile of respondents in terms of
1.1 High School Achievement
1.2 21st Century skills
1.3 Study Skills
1.4 Multiple Intelligences
1.5 Institutional factors
1.5.1 Teacher-Student Relations
1.5.2 School Resources
1.5.3 School Climate
2. Which of the student's profiles is a predictor of academic performance
3. What is the predictive student performance prediction model that may be used as
a guide for student admission
The specific topics/themes for the review of related literature are the following:
 Academic Performance
 High School Achievement
 21st Century skills
 Study Skills
 Multiple Intelligences
 Institutional Factors
Student-Teacher Relationship
School Climate
School Resources
Guidelines: Using Your Library Time Efficiently
 1. Go to the library armed with data-gathering tools.
2. Identify the materials (books, articles, etc.) you want to read, and
determine if they are available in your library.
3. Develop an organized plan of attack for finding the sources you’ve
identified.
4. Track down your sources.
5. Record all basic information as you read each source.
6. Identify strategies for obtaining sources that are not immediately
available.
Practical Application: Beginning Your Review of the Related Literature
1. Write your research problem.
2. Identify the subproblems.
3. Construct a set of paper note-taking forms or an electronic
database.
4. Go to the library with your information-gathering system.
5. Track down your references.

Evaluating, Organizing, and Synthesizing the Literature

• Never take other people’s conclusions at face value;
determine for yourself whether the conclusions are justified based on the data
presented.
• Organize the ideas you encounter during your review.
• Organize the variables of the study according to themes
• Synthesize what you’ve learned from your review:
- Compare and contrast varying theoretical positions on the topic.
- Show how approaches to the topic have changed over time.
- Describe general trends in the research findings.
- Identify and explain discrepant or contradictory findings.
- Identify general themes that run throughout the literature.
Guidelines: Writing a Clear and Cohesive Literature Review
1. Get the proper psychological orientation.
2. Have a plan.
3. Emphasize relatedness (i.e., how the literature is related to the problem).
4. Give credit where credit is due; use appropriate citations.
5. Review the literature, don’t reproduce it.
6. Summarize what you’ve said.
7. Remember that your first draft will not be your last draft.
8. Ask others for advice and feedback.
Project/Activity
 Activity 4: Conduct a Literature Search on a Topic of Your Choice.
This activity requires students to identify a topic of their interest and locate
articles and other related materials, utilizing guidelines discussed in the
chapter.
 Activity 5: Conduct a Database Search. This activity requires students to
explore library databases that are relevant to their professional and research
interests