RESEARCH PROJECT GUIDELINES CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

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.