RESEARCH PROJECT GUIDELINES
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
Arrangement
of the chapter
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1
Introduction
2.2
Review of theoretical Literature
2.3
Analytical Review/Critical Review
/Empirical Review of Literature
2.4
Summary and gaps to be filled by the study
2.5
Conceptual framework
Literature
review is as indicated in the general format above. The literature should
entail examination of what others have said done in the field covered by the
study. The past studies should be cited. The idea is to sudy the existing
literature on the topic and relate it to the research problem.
Specifically,
each subtopic should contain:-
2.1
Introduction
Literature review is a critical look
at the existing research that is significant to your project. However, start
this chapter with an overview of contents of the chapter. This should be very
brief and precise.
2.2
Review of theoretical Literature
This section should discuss
current/relevant theory that supports the research problem been studied. For
example in marketing problem particularly consumer related, the underlying
marketing theory relevant to your project e.g. Consumer behaviour, brand
research, customer satisfaction) should be discussed.
2.3
Analytical Review
This literature review section of the
proposal should present a review of the literature related to the problem and
purpose. The literature review section should therefore be organized or
categorized according to the research questions or specific objectives in order
to ensure relevance to the research problem. It should be written using
appropriate writing style of the American Psychological Association (APA) style
Cite 3-5 references per key section in the text. Review the empirical
literature relevant to the problem being investigated showing clearly the
linkage of literature review to the research questions.
During literature review, it’s important to
note the following points:
·
You should evaluate what has already been
done, show the relationships between different works, and show how it
relates to your project.
·
Refer to work by recognized experts in your
chosen area
·
Consider and discuss work that supports and work
that opposes your ideas
·
Make reasoned judgments regarding the value of
others’ work to your research
·
Support your arguments with valid evidence in a
logical manner
·
Distinguish clearly between facts and opinions
·
Ensure the review is done chronologically
·
The hypothesized variables should be subheadings
of the literature review to form a framework that would help in analysis.
·
It is not supposed to be just a summary of other
people's work but Critique of the existing literature relevant of the study
·
Review and critique any previous studies. For
the review to be critical, you will need to develop critical judgment.
·
Indicate what has been done by other researchers
including the methodologies used and identify the emerging research gaps.
2.4 Summary and gaps to be filled by the study
This sub-section is supposed to
summarize the literature reviewed and bring out clearly the research gaps
identified, if possible in a table format
2.5 Conceptual framework
The Conceptual
framework should demonstrate an understanding of what variable influences what.
