review of related literature in practical research

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How to Write Review of Related Literature (RRL) in Research

A review of related literature (a.k.a RRL in research) is a comprehensive review of the existing literature pertaining to a specific topic or research question. An effective review provides the reader with an organized analysis and synthesis of the existing knowledge about a subject. With the increasing amount of new information being disseminated every day, conducting a review of related literature is becoming more difficult and the purpose of review of related literature is clearer than ever.  

All new knowledge is necessarily based on previously known information, and every new scientific study must be conducted and reported in the context of previous studies. This makes a review of related literature essential for research, and although it may be tedious work at times , most researchers will complete many such reviews of varying depths during their career. So, why exactly is a review of related literature important?    

Table of Contents

Why a review of related literature in research is important  

Before thinking how to do reviews of related literature , it is necessary to understand its importance. Although the purpose of a review of related literature varies depending on the discipline and how it will be used, its importance is never in question. Here are some ways in which a review can be crucial.  

• Identify gaps in the knowledge – This is the primary purpose of a review of related literature (often called RRL in research ). To create new knowledge, you must first determine what knowledge may be missing. This also helps to identify the scope of your study.  
• Avoid duplication of research efforts – Not only will a review of related literature indicate gaps in the existing research, but it will also lead you away from duplicating research that has already been done and thus save precious resources.  
• Provide an overview of disparate and interdisciplinary research areas – Researchers cannot possibly know everything related to their disciplines. Therefore, it is very helpful to have access to a review of related literature already written and published.  
• Highlight researcher’s familiarity with their topic 1  – A strong review of related literature in a study strengthens readers’ confidence in that study and that researcher.

Tips on how to write a review of related literature in research

Given that you will probably need to produce a number of these at some point, here are a few general tips on how to write an effective review of related literature 2 .

• Define your topic, audience, and purpose: You will be spending a lot of time with this review, so choose a topic that is interesting to you. While deciding what to write in a review of related literature , think about who you expect to read the review – researchers in your discipline, other scientists, the general public – and tailor the language to the audience. Also, think about the purpose of your review of related literature .  
• Conduct a comprehensive literature search: While writing your review of related literature , emphasize more recent works but don’t forget to include some older publications as well. Cast a wide net, as you may find some interesting and relevant literature in unexpected databases or library corners. Don’t forget to search for recent conference papers.
• Review the identified articles and take notes: It is a good idea to take notes in a way such that individual items in your notes can be moved around when you organize them. For example, index cards are great tools for this. Write each individual idea on a separate card along with the source. The cards can then be easily grouped and organized.  
• Determine how to organize your review: A review of related literature should not be merely a listing of descriptions. It should be organized by some criterion, such as chronologically or thematically.  
• Be critical and objective: Don’t just report the findings of other studies in your review of related literature . Challenge the methodology, find errors in the analysis, question the conclusions. Use what you find to improve your research. However, do not insert your opinions into the review of related literature. Remain objective and open-minded.  
• Structure your review logically: Guide the reader through the information. The structure will depend on the function of the review of related literature. Creating an outline prior to writing the RRL in research is a good way to ensure the presented information flows well.  

As you read more extensively in your discipline, you will notice that the review of related literature appears in various forms in different places. For example, when you read an article about an experimental study, you will typically see a literature review or a RRL in research , in the introduction that includes brief descriptions of similar studies. In longer research studies and dissertations, especially in the social sciences, the review of related literature will typically be a separate chapter and include more information on methodologies and theory building. In addition, stand-alone review articles will be published that are extremely useful to researchers.  

The review of relevant literature or often abbreviated as, RRL in research , is an important communication tool that can be used in many forms for many purposes. It is a tool that all researchers should befriend.  

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center. Literature Reviews.  https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/literature-reviews/  [Accessed September 8, 2022]
• Pautasso M. Ten simple rules for writing a literature review. PLoS Comput Biol. 2013, 9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003149.

Q:  Is research complete without a review of related literature?

A research project is usually considered incomplete without a proper review of related literature. The review of related literature is a crucial component of any research project as it provides context for the research question, identifies gaps in existing literature, and ensures novelty by avoiding duplication. It also helps inform research design and supports arguments, highlights the significance of a study, and demonstrates your knowledge an expertise.

Q: What is difference between RRL and RRS?

The key difference between an RRL and an RRS lies in their focus and scope. An RRL or review of related literature examines a broad range of literature, including theoretical frameworks, concepts, and empirical studies, to establish the context and significance of the research topic. On the other hand, an RRS or review of research studies specifically focuses on analyzing and summarizing previous research studies within a specific research domain to gain insights into methodologies, findings, and gaps in the existing body of knowledge. While there may be some overlap between the two, they serve distinct purposes and cover different aspects of the research process.

Q: Does review of related literature improve accuracy and validity of research?

Yes, a comprehensive review of related literature (RRL) plays a vital role in improving the accuracy and validity of research. It helps authors gain a deeper understanding and offers different perspectives on the research topic. RRL can help you identify research gaps, dictate the selection of appropriate research methodologies, enhance theoretical frameworks, avoid biases and errors, and even provide support for research design and interpretation. By building upon and critically engaging with existing related literature, researchers can ensure their work is rigorous, reliable, and contributes meaningfully to their field of study.

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Lesson 31: Content of the Review of Related Literature

Writing review of related literature has its own structure. Researcher has to follow the structure for its guided format. Like building a house, a carpenter or the engineer has to design a structure of a house before he has to build it. Writing review of related literature follows the same procedure too. The researcher will make or follow the procedural structure in writing review such as an introduction, body and conclusion.

1. Introduction

The introduction explains the focus and establishes the importance of the subject. It discusses what kind of work has been done on the topic and identifies any controversies within the field or any recent research which has raised questions about earlier assumptions.

The introduction can be seen as the beginning paragraph of Chapter 2, or the beginning paragraph of the body of related literature. Example: If the topic under consideration is SHS students under Pres. Duterte’s declaration of Martial law, the introduction can be like this: “This review will not explore the accounts of SHS students in Visayas and Luzon but only in Mindanao (Martial Law is only implemented in Mindanao - 2017- 2019).

When you write an introduction, you have to bear in mind that it must have a focus and has to emphasize on the subject or topic or problem of the study. It explains what kind of study  or research has been done and its purpose too. It also describes on any controversies encompassing the previous and recent studies incorporating the present problems under investigation. It also provides the background of the study or research. Sometimes an introduction will summarize or evaluate the kind of research the researcher would like to undertake or may suggest how the findings of research will lead to further researches.

Read the examples of the introduction of review of related literature and learn how to write it on your own to avoid plagiarism.

Examples of introduction in Chapter 2

Example 1. An introduction that expresses opposing views

Review of Related Literature and Studies

      There are opposing views to the impact ICT has on the acquisition of learning by students. On one hand, ICT has been viewed as a tool for promoting quality learning. This is supported by studies from several parts of the globe such as Ghamrawi (2011), Gillespie (2006), Romeo (2006), Murphy (2006), Wongetal(2006),Becta (2003), Yelland (2001), Oliver (2000) and Grimus (2000).

Source: Aparejo, Brandino & Calipusan (2020)

      This study is designed to explore the lived experiences of street children in Gingoog City who are enrolled in Open High School Program (OHSP). To give the comprehensive view of this research, review of related literature and studies are presented below (Lloren, 2016).

Source: Lloren (2016)

2. Body of Review of Related Literature

The second content of the review of related literature is the body. The body of related review of literature is oftentimes divided into major headings and subheadings. In most cases to, the body of related literature and studies will summarize, evaluate and assess the field of  knowledge under study in current stage. It gives reports and findings on themes, issues, topics, trends for researchers to confirm or negate. Note that if review is about a preliminary of a research project, then the body will focus on the argument in order to justify the issues, topics or problems under investigation.

Example of Body of Review of Related Literature in Chronological Order

      Several researchers confirmed that more module authors have developed different modules in their specified field. Thorton (1971) reported in detail about a project where  programmed instructions were used in a module on "Cellular Respiration". The modular  format contained instructional objectives, necessary pre-requisites and time required,  diagnostic pre-test, key for the test, required materials for the program, instructions for  the use of the program and self-scored post-test. Collagan (1972) as cited by KK John (2010) constructed certain modules of a programmed course in Astronomy. Wilkerson (1973) developed and validated modules utilizing five stages of which the first four may be identified as the stages of planning and development. These stages were: (i) exploratory reading and research into the area of the instructional system and attitude; (ii) completion of rough draft and collection of revision data from researchers and reviewers; (iii) revision of the modules and (iv) informal field test. Cohan (1973) developed, and field tested a module to instruct student teacher with respect to critical thinking and the teacher behavior which promote critical thinking. Girard & Pinar ( 2011 ) research study advances the understanding of the usability of marketing case study modules in the area of interactive web-based technologies through the assignment of seven interactive case modules in a Principles of Marketing course and in same year Teaching Modules for nanotechnology were developed, implemented and evaluated in the research study of Shabani, et al. ( 2011)

Source: Camocamo, R. (2014 ) ”DEVELOPING LOCALIZED ECONOMICS MULTIMEDIA MODULE

3. Conclusion

The conclusion will give the summary of all the evidences that are being presented from introduction to the body of related literature and studies. Aside from that, the conclusion will also give the precise key findings of other studies of the review in general concepts.

The conclusion for review of related literature is different from the conclusion of the entire research findings of your study. This conclusion here is specifically for the review of related literature only. It consists of one paragraph only summarizing the main points of all the research findings from abstracts, theories and models used in the study or in your research.

Example in Concluding the Review of Related Literature and Studies using Summary

      To sum up, the literature and studies mentioned above give the strong evidence of what the researchers claim on the lived experiences of the respondents being teenage mothers.

Example in Concluding the Review of Related Literature and Studies using Evaluation

       Different views on the lived experiences of teenage mothers have been presented from different findings of various researches and different perspective from prominent social theorists. Each view is supported by experiences of emotional and psychological journey into a knowledge of an early motherhood.

Example in Concluding the Review of Related Literature Using Linkage of Existing Knowledge

       Based from the related literature reviews and studies presented above, teenage pregnancy is nothing new in historical point of view and in worldwide phenomenon. The reviews and studies support the idea that teenage pregnancy is mainly a social and not a medical problem.