CHAPTER TWO

A literature review is a systematic exploration of scholarly information related to a specific research problem or topic. It involves gathering, analyzing, and reviewing documents created by other researchers that are relevant to the research question being investigated. This process is essential for any researcher to understand the existing knowledge base, identify gaps in the field, and establish the need for their study. This chapter focuses solely on the literature review process.

Purpose of a Literature Review

• Identifying Existing Knowledge: To determine what is already known about the chosen research area.

• Justifying Research Need: To highlight the gaps in current knowledge, thereby demonstrating the need for further investigation.

• Guiding Discussion of Findings: To provide a framework that allows researchers to interpret and discuss their study findings within the context of previous research.

• Defining Research Scope: To clarify what needs to be explored by understanding what has already been examined.

• Integral Part of Research: To serve as a core element of the entire research process.

Sources of Literature Review

1. Primary Data Sources: These are original sources of information from individuals who directly experienced or witnessed an event. These include firsthand accounts and direct observations.

2. Secondary Sources: These sources interpret or analyze information from primary sources. They are often written by authors who did not directly observe the original event.

Examples of Secondary Sources:

• Journals (Academic publications containing research findings)

• Articles (Published pieces of writing on a specific topic)

• Textbooks (Comprehensive books on a particular subject)

• Reports (Documents providing findings or analysis)

• Government documents (Official publications by government bodies)

• References quoted in books (Citations of other works within a text)

• Abstracts (Summaries of research articles)

• Grey literature (Materials not formally published, like working papers)

• Internet (Online databases and resources)

UNMEB PAST EXAM: Outline 10 reasons why you reviewed the literature?

1. Contextualization and Background: A literature review provides historical and theoretical context, enabling readers to understand the evolution and relevance of the topic, acting as a historical record of the research topic.

2. Identification of Gaps: This helps to identify areas of research where knowledge is lacking, highlighting areas for further exploration and investigation.

3. Building a Theoretical Framework: A review helps integrate relevant theories and concepts from previous studies, providing a basis for the new research, acting as a solid foundation for the new study.

4. Defining Research Problem and Objectives: By pinpointing critical issues, this helps formulate a clear research problem and specific objectives.

5. Research Design and Methodology: Literature reviews help guide researchers in selecting appropriate research methods by understanding the approaches and methodologies of previous studies.

6. Avoiding Redundancy: By understanding past work, researchers can avoid unnecessary repetition and ensure their study contributes something novel to the existing knowledge.

7. Establishing Credibility: Referencing established works provides credibility to the research and situates it within the broader academic community.

8. Enhancing Researcher’s Knowledge: The review expands the researcher’s understanding of the subject, offering insights and viewpoints they may not have considered previously.

9. Validation of Hypotheses: It helps validate or challenge research hypotheses by comparing them with the findings of earlier studies.

10. Contribution to Knowledge: This emphasizes the research’s unique contribution to the existing knowledge base, proving its value and relevance.

What do we find in a Literature Review?

1. History of the Problem: A review delves into the historical context and how the problem has evolved over time.

2. Magnitude and Distribution of the Problem: Data and statistics are presented to show the prevalence and distribution of the problem across various populations.

3. Severity of the Problem: This highlights the impact and implications of the problem on individuals and communities.

4. Methodology Used by Other Researchers: This explains the approaches, methods, and techniques used in previous research.

5. Hypotheses and Variables: A review outlines the research questions and hypotheses examined, and the specific variables considered.

6. Research Designs: The structure of previous research studies is explored and explained.

7. Sample Size and Characteristics: The number of participants and their specific characteristics in previous studies are noted.

8. Research Tools Used: The instruments, surveys, and techniques used to collect data in earlier research are specified.

9. Findings of Previous Research: The main outcomes and conclusions of previous studies relating to the topic are summarized.

10. Sample Size Determination: The method by which prior researchers established suitable sample sizes for their research is explained.

11. Limitations of Previous Research: The shortcomings and restrictions of the reviewed studies are acknowledged.

Writing the Literature Review

• Use Recent Literature: Include up-to-date literature, preferably not older than 10 years.

• Organize by Themes: Divide the review into themes that match the study’s objectives. For example:

  • 2.0 Introduction

  • 2.1 Literature related to objective one

  • 2.2 Literature related to objective two

  • 2.3 Literature related to objective three

• Adhere to Citation Guidelines: Follow the chosen institutional guidelines for citations and referencing, e.g., APA or Harvard formats.

• Maintain a File of Sources: Keep a record of all cited and referenced works to facilitate easy access as needed.

Guidelines for Conducting a Literature Review

1. Supporting or Contrasting References: Provide references to back up your statements, ensuring each paragraph includes at least two citations showing either support or disagreement with your points.

   • Example: “Research conducted in Botswana indicates that male adolescents are at greater risk of poor adherence to ART than females (Ndiage, Nyasulu, Nguyen, Lowenthal, et al., 2013). Conversely, a study in South Africa suggested that being female is a significant risk factor for poor adherence (Wasti, Simkhada, & Teijlingen, 2012).”

2. Comparisons and Similarities: Identify and draw comparisons between research outcomes from various studies across the world.

3. Emphasis on Paraphrasing: Paraphrase existing research findings to integrate and synthesize information.

4. Incorporating Results: Include numerical results or key figures from the studies you are citing to provide concrete evidence.

   • Example: “A study in South Africa showed that patients on the efavirenz-based regimen (once-daily) had better adherence than those on the nevirapine-based regimen (twice-daily): 38.2% (696 of 1,822 patients) vs. 30.1% (301 of 999 patients) respectively (Theos, 2007).”

   • As you quote research, indicate the study name, author, year, location, population, and main results.

REFERENCING

Referencing is essential to give credit to the original authors when using their words or ideas. This involves citing sources in the text and providing a full list of references at the end of the paper. Referencing demonstrates a thorough understanding of the existing knowledge on a subject and maintains academic integrity.

Importance of Referencing:

• Giving Credit: To acknowledge the work and ideas of others.

• Establishing Credibility: To add weight and authority to your argument with supporting evidence.

• Allowing Verification: To enable readers to locate the original sources for further reading.

• Showing Relation to Broader Research: To illustrate the connection between your research and the existing body of knowledge.

• Preventing Plagiarism: To avoid the intentional or unintentional presentation of another’s work as your own.

• Demonstrating Solid Argument: To show the reader that you have supported your argument with evidence.

• Distinguishing Own Ideas: To differentiate your thoughts from those of other sources.

• Reinforcing Your Argument: To use supporting evidence to strengthen your claims.

• Enabling Fact-Checking: To ensure that statements made in your work can be independently verified.

Types of Referencing/Citation Styles:

The two most common styles are:

1. APA (American Psychological Association) style.

2. MLA (Modern Language Association) style.

Other styles include:

• Vancouver style (author-number system)

• Chicago style

• Turabian style

Note: All referencing styles have two key elements: in-text citation and a reference list.

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

APA is a commonly used style in research that combines in-text citations with a detailed reference list.

APA In-Text Referencing:

APA uses an “author-date” style, including the author’s last name, the year of publication, and sometimes a page number.

• Example: “Diabetes mellitus is associated with the development of hypertension” (Kayizzi & Serugo, 2015, p. 36).

• Alternatively: Diabetes mellitus is associated with the development of hypertension (Kayizzi & Serugo, 2015).

• Or: Kayizzi and Serugo (2015) reported that “Diabetes mellitus is associated with the development of hypertension” (p. 36).

Note:

• Use double quotation marks for direct quotes and provide a page number.

• When referring to an entire work, use only the author’s last name and year.

APA Reference List:

The reference list should be on a separate page at the end of your paper. It should:

• Include only references you have cited in the text.

• Use a hanging indent for all entries (indented after the first line).

• Alphabetize entries by the last name of the first author.

Example of a Reference List:

• Journal article:

  Kayizzi, G., & Serugo, I. (2005). Diabetes mellitus is associated with the development of hypertension. The Lancet, 9, 36.

• Textbook:

  Kayizzi, G. (2014). Managing Diabetes Mellitus. Kampala: Ink Co.

How to Reference or Cite?

• Referencing is creating a list of all authors whose work you have used and is located at the end of the research.

• Citation is acknowledging authors’ works within the text of your research.

Note: All cited authors should be included in the reference list.

Importance of Citation:

• To avoid plagiarism by correctly attributing the work of others.

• To give recognition to the authors of original ideas.

• To enable readers to find the location of quoted ideas or work.

• To demonstrate ethical and honest research practices.

• To illustrate a thorough understanding of the topic.

Ways of Citing

• Citing within the text

• Quotations

• Footnotes

Ways of Citing in Research

Citing Within the Text:

1. Parenthetical Citation: The author’s last name and year are placed at the end of a paraphrased statement within parentheses.

   • Example: The research demonstrated a significant correlation between class performance and absenteeism (Sabiti, 2019).

2. Narrative Citation: The author’s name and year are at the beginning of the sentence.

   • Example: According to Sabiti (2019), there exists a noteworthy correlation between class performance and absenteeism.

Quotations:

Direct quotations use the exact wording of the author without alteration, ensuring accuracy and adding emphasis when citing recognized experts.

Footnotes:

Footnotes display references at the bottom of the page to provide supplementary information and indicate the source of an idea. They should be used for:

1. Additional information to enrich understanding.

2. Source indication for proper citation and transparency.

   • Example: The likelihood of acquiring HIV can be expected from people with multiple sexual partners. 1
     In this case number 1 represents your first citation, which will be on your reference list.