Description
This comprehensive set of university notes provides an essential guide to conducting a literature review, authored by H. Halwindi, PhD from the University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Public Health (SoPH). Designed for undergraduate tertiary-level students in research methodology courses, the material outlines the fundamental purpose, process, and sources involved in a scholarly literature review. It explains how a literature review brings clarity to a research problem, broadens the knowledge base, contextualises findings, and improves research methods. The notes detail a structured four-step process—listing, searching, learning, and writing—and identify key academic sources including books, journal articles, conference proceedings, and theses. This resource is invaluable for students pursuing degrees, diplomas, or certificates who need to master the skills of synthesising existing research, identifying gaps, and structuring a critical review for their projects or dissertations. Access these authoritative notes to enhance your research capabilities and academic writing for successful tertiary examination preparation and project completion.
What's inside
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY UG Literature Review By H. Halwiindi, PhD UNZA SoPH Out-line 1. Purpose 2. Process 3. Sources 4. Writing LR What is a “Literature Review”? • “…a literature review surveys scientific articles, books, journals, dissertations and other sources relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work.” 1. PURPOSE a. Brings clarity and focus to your research problem » Helps you understanding the subject » Helps you to conceptualize your research problem » Helps identifying relationships with existing body of knowledge b. Broadens your knowledge base in your research area » Current state of knowledge » where the gaps are » Current trends and debates » Hot topics c. Contextualize your findings » How your results fit into the existing body of knowledge » How your results differ from others » Avoid duplication d. Improve your methods » How the others have approached the problem » Which methods others have used and faced difficulties » Identify new ways to interpret 2. THE REVIEW PROCESS Literature Review as a Process 1. LISTING • Which topic or field is being examined? • What questions need to be answered before you conduct your study? • What are its component issues? Identify a set of key words 2. SEARCH Find materials relevant to the subject being explored. Use key words to search library/data bases. Select 40 - 50 articles related to topic to give you a first view of topic.
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