Description
This presentation, prepared by CELINE MALUMA MWAFULILWA (M.L.I.S.) and presented by Dr. Zulu Davy Wadula, provides a comprehensive guide to conducting a literature review for tertiary-level research. It outlines clear objectives such as surveying existing literature, synthesizing information, critically analyzing gathered knowledge to identify gaps and limitations, and presenting findings in an organized manner. The material explains the purpose and importance of a literature review, distinguishing between good and poor practices, and details the process from information seeking and source evaluation to structured writing and proper citation. Useful for university students, postgraduate researchers, and academic staff undertaking dissertation or thesis work, this resource supports effective literature search strategies, critical appraisal skills, and scholarly writing essential for academic success. It serves as a valuable reference for anyone engaged in higher education research projects, helping to build a solid theoretical foundation and ensure academic integrity. Download this guide to enhance your research methodology and literature review proficiency. This presentation, prepared by CELINE MALUMA MWAFULILWA (M.L.I.S.) and presented by Dr. Zulu Davy Wadula, provides a comprehensive guide to conducting a literature review for tertiary-level research. It outlines clear objectives such as surveying existing literature, synthesizing information, critically analyzing gathered knowledge to identify gaps and limitations, and presenting findings in an organized manner. The material explains the purpose and importance of a literature review, distinguishing between good and poor practices, and details the process from information seeking and source evaluation to structured writing and proper citation. Useful for university students, postgraduate researchers, and academic staff undertaking dissertation or thesis work, this resource supports effective literature search strategies, critical appraisal skills, and scholarly writing essential for academic success. It serves as a valuable reference for anyone engaged in higher education research projects, helping to build a solid theoretical foundation and ensure academic integrity. Download this guide to enhance your research methodology and literature review proficiency.
What's inside
LITERATURE REVIEW Presented by: Dr. Zulu Davy Wadula Prepared by: CELINE MALUMA MWAFULILWA M.L.I.S. Objectives of reviewing literature To survey the literature in your chosen area of study To synthesize the information in that literature into a summary To critically analyse the information gathered by identifying gaps in the current knowledge; by showing limitations of points of view; formulating areas for further research and reviewing areas of controversy. To present the literature findings in an organised way Objectives Explained. It means you are familiar with the body of knowledge and this establishes the credibility of your work Literature review summarizes prior research. Is your project is linked to it? What is literature review A comprehensive search that gives an in depth review of the subject you are writing on. An account, a review of what has been written, published /unpublished by other accredited scholars and researchers relevant to your research topic Literature review chapter consists only of past scholars' works or findings. A critical analysis and effective evaluation of previous research. Can be a background to a larger work/research or can stand on its own. It comes as chapter 2 in research report, or thesis/dissertation writing. Purpose for a literature review It should justify your research. Supports or elaborates on the research problem by showing the gaps in the existing knowledge or research. It must illustrate how the subject has been studied by previous scholars; learn from them and bring out strengths and weaknesses of previous works. Help the researcher to rephrase or reconstruct the study questions. It helps determine where your current research fits into the existing body of knowledge. Allows you to establish your theoretical framework. It becomes a springboard for the whole research. Importance of a literature review It appraises, compares and contrasts, and correlates various scholarly books, research articles, and other relevant sources that are directly related to your current research. Helps you create a rapport with your audience, literature review, tells the audience that you know what you are talking about. Ensures that the research has not been done before. It is not a duplication. Avoid the risk of plagiarism. Helps researcher justify decisions regarding methodologies and techniques used in the study. Keeps your research on track. It sharpens your research focus Good literature review Is a synthesis of available research, i.e. not just summaries of articles. Is a critical evaluation of available research. Is the source authentic? Has clarity and conciseness ie clear and efficient. Uses rigorous and consistent methods. Cites all ideas, opinions, arguments, views etc. Must be consistent in citation and referencing style. Good literature rev. Cont. Avoids biasness i.e.: Bring out both positive and negative arguments/views/findings/opinions etc. of case studies; surveys; evidence based findings etc for and against] Should not impress the importance of a particular research. Presents and evaluates all evidence from all differing points of view. Poor literature review It is merely an annotated bibliography Confined to descriptions. Narrow and shallow and is confined to positive previous findings only. Avoids negative views/opinions. Confusing and longwinded Not consistent in construction A retelling of previous research findings Benefits of literature review Information seeking skills: An ability to scan the literature efficiently; using manual or computerised methods; identify a set of useful articles and books. Literature search Find out what is out there! Understand your question/topic: what are the key concepts; compile a list of key words and describe them. Start by defining your topic or research project. Identify your information sources Sources of information in Lit. rev. Primary : Autobiographies; research findings such as census statistical data. Surveys; interviews; diaries, dissertations/theses. Secondary : textbooks; reference books; Indexes; abstracts; journal articles etc. Tertiary : Dictionaries, encyclopaedias, reviews etc Institutional: Public institutions, e.g. Government documents and any other publications from ministries etc. IERs: electronic journals; Institutional Repositories; books etc. Useful data bases Healthy related databases: Cochrane library HINARI :http://www.who.int/hinari/en/ Username: ZAM001 - Password: 3786P7 PUB MED: https://preview.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed OARE :http://www.oaresciences.org Username: ZAM512 – Password: 63425 Science direct Print sources in the library. Search engines: Google; Google scholar etc Record keeping Keep a record of literature accessed: i.e. Write/record a full bibliographic record of each reviewed article. E-resources? Copy and paste the URL (Uniform Resource …
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