Importance of Literature Review in Research

Literature Review Dr.Akhilesh Kumar Dwivedi

Research Research is Systematic Original Contribution to Existing Knowledge. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

What is Literature Review A literature review is evisiting of available documents (both published and unpublished) on a researchable issue, which contain information, ideas, data and evidence in order to identify research gaps1. It stresses out methodological inconsistencies2 in the previous research. It also gives justification3 for why a new research is needed on a particular issue ? 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Purpose of Literature Review It provides a historical background for your research. It gives an overview of the current context in which your research is situated, by referring to contemporary debates, issues and questions in the field. It includes a discussion on relevant theories and concepts which underpin your research. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Contd It introduces relevant terminology and provides definitions to clarify how terms are being used in the context of your own work. It describes related research in the field and shows how your research work extends or challenges this or addresses gap in the work in the field . It provides supporting evidence for a cause, for which you are going to undertake a new research. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Sources of Information Books(Text Books-Specialized Books- Reference Books) Journal Articles Published Literature Review of a Subject / Field (ICSSR Series) Grey Literature (Reports, Theses, Conference Proceedings, Working Papers, media reports, letters and personal diaries (with out an ISBN and ISSN Number) 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Tools for Literature Search (Computer based) Library Catalogues (Online Public Access Catalogues OPAC, Lybsis etc.) Bibliographical Databases (JSTOR,EBSCO etc.) Internet Search Engines (Google scholar, yahoo etc) Web site of research institutes. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Process of Conducting a Literature Search (Manual-Computer based) Know your library (Dewey Decimal Classification Number) 300: Social Science 301:Sociology and Anthropology (305: Social Groups) .2-age group,.4-women,.5-social classes,.6-religious groups etc 305.23-Study of youth 320:Political Science 330:Economics 340:Law 350:Public Administration 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Zooming down to useful literature Consult the subject expert / colleagues Key word search (Boolean logic) Snowball technique 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Internet Searching Boolean Logic Phrase searching ( double quotes) Boolean searching (AND, OR, NOT) Implied Boolean: Term inclusion (+), term exclusion (-) AND requires that both terms are present somewhere within the document being sought OR requires that at least one of the terms is present. NOT excludes any document containing the term. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Limit your search to File type filetype:ppt site:edu global warming Definitions define: Social Exclusion define: Social Exclusion Information within Particular Domain site:http://niti.gov.in/ Poverty site:edu global warming 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Agricultural Labour and Unfreedom: Siri Workers in a Village in Western Haryana Vikas Rawal.Journal of Social Change:,Vol-6,No-4.October 2006. Bhalla Sheila (1989), Technological Change and Women Workers: Evidence from the Expansionary Phase in Haryana Agriculture , Economic and Political Weekly, 24(43). Bhalla, Sheila (1995), Development, Poverty and Policy: The Haryana Experience , Economic and Political Weekly, 30 (41 and 42), Oct 14-21. Bhalla, Sheila (1999), Liberalisation, Rural Labour Markets and the Mobilisation of Farm Workers: The Haryana Story in an All-India Context , Journal of Peasant Studies, 26 (2&3). Bhattacharya, Neeladri (1985), Agricultural Labour and Production: Central and South-east Punjab, 1870-1940 , in Raj, K. N. et.al. (eds), Essays on the Commercialisation of Indian Agriculture, Oxford University Press, New Delhi. Brass, Tom, (1990), Class Struggle and the Deproletarianisation of Agricultural Labour in Haryana (India) , Journal of Peasant Studies, 18 (1). Brass, Tom (1995), Unfree Labour and Agrarian Change A Different View , Economic and Political Weekly, Apr 1. Indian School of Women s Studies and Development (ISWSD) (2004), A Study of Agricultural and Non-agricultural Women Labour in Haryana, project report submitted to the Ministry of Labour, New Delhi. Jodhka, Surinder S. (1994), Agrarian Changes and Attached Labour: Emerging Patterns in Haryana Agriculture , Economic and Political Weekly, Sep 24. Jodhka, Surinder S. (1995a), Agrarian Changes, Unfreedom and Attached Labour , Economic and Political Weekly, Aug 5-12. Jodhka, Surinder S. (1995b), Debt, Dependence and Agrarian Change, Rawat Publications, Jaipur and New Delhi 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

A note book (Log Book) for review first draft Key References . book /article/report .1,2,3,4 ..N The purpose of literature review Key References . book /article/report .1,2,3,4 ..N Relevant points in relation to your study to be written down Background of the study Theories and concepts Objectives of the study Methodology/approach Area of study, Sample, Unit of Observation Research Findings Any other important in put for your study 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Review : Precise Form Mention the problem addressed in the study State the purpose or objectives of the study Brief information about the research methodology adopted (universe, sample, approach, tools) Review of results and findings Identification of methodological flaw in the study (if any) 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Process of Reviewing Literature (Searching, Reading, Writing) Locating previous study/literature on the issue Developing Categories and theme for reading. Developing Categories and themes for writing. Specifying heading and sub headings for review. Writing the review according to heading/sub headings or themes Revisiting the drafts Finalization of Literature Review Developing research gap and own argument Justifying research problem/objectives Formulating research questions 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Marriage Partner Selection Process in Madhya Pradesh (Categories for Reading) Agencies Kin Network/ Relatives Marriage Bureaus (individual/institutional) News Paper Advertisements Matrimonial Portals Caste Pustika/ Prospectve Bride/Groom Register Parichaya Sammelan / Caste Melas 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

A Study of Parichaya Sammelan in Madhya Pradesh (Categories for Writing) Parichaya Sammelan (Sub Agencies-Sub Categories) 1- Major Caste/ Varna 2- Sub Caste 3- Region/ Language 4- Age, Disability etc. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

A Study of Beggars in Madhya Pradesh (Categories for Reading) Child Beggar Religious Beggar Women Beggar Able Bodied Beggar Elderly Beggar Physically Challenged Beggar Diseased Beggar Mentally ill Beggar 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

A Study of Religious Beggars in Madhya Pradesh (Categories for Writing) Religious Beggars Beggars begging near temples/mosque/church. Beggars begging door to door in the date of festivals. Beggars begging in the dress of religious mendicants. Beggars begging with symbols/ idols of God/Goddesses. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Reading Strategies SQ3R Survey the text to ascertain the gist of general idea. Question-While surveying the text, think about questions that you would like the text to answer if you decide it is relevant than read it in a more detailed manner. Read the text carefully if you think it is pertinent for your research. Recall the main points after you have read the text. Review the text to confirm that you have recalled all the main points that are significant to you and your research. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Note Taking Strategies Reading and highlighting Annotating the hard copy of the text (by highlighting using highlighter of different colours) i.e StudyArea, Objectives, Methods, Theoretical Frame, Concepts, Findings. An annotation is a note that is made while reading any form of text. This may be as simple as underlining or highlighting passages. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Ways for Note Takings Writing down in computer (using different word file) or reference card using .. Linear Note (Use of headings and sub headings between main ideas and subsidiary information). Pattern Note (Inter- relating different concepts) 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Strategy for Writing Review of a Book Carefully read preface, introduction, methodology and conclusion of a specialised book based on an empirical study. Make sure that the book is relevant for your study. Identify the theoretical arguments, methodology, sources of data ,study area and objectives of the study. Analyze the findings one by one with objectives of the study and check out to what extent the theoretical strand, methodology and findings justifies the objectives cited in the study. Every chapter should analytically studied with reference to the objective cited in the study. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Contd Make a record of the main objectives and findings chapter by chapter by note taking . Produce the first draft of the summary of chapters by writing down the main points that the text is making. Redraft the chapter summary to present the main points in the most logical order. This does not have to be in the same order as the original text (Chapter by Chapter) 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Contd Check that you have not included more detail than is necessary for the purpose of your review. Check back to the original book to ensure that you have included all the main points that you need. Critically comment how far the author has succeeded to conclude with new ideas, methodology , addition of knowledge to the existing knowledge. Do not forget to criticize if there is any inconsistencies in methodology, data sources and mismatch between objectives and findings. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Technique of Writing a Summary of an Article. Make a record of the main point of a text either by note taking or by highlighting (by different colours) and annotating. Produce the first draft of the summary of first of all acknowledging the source and then writing down the main points that the text is making. Redraft the summary to present the main points in the most logical order. This does not have to be in the same order as the original text. Check back to the original text to ensure that you have included all the main points that you need. Remember that in summary you are reporting the author s main ideas. If you are commenting on the work do not forget to acknowledge your point view. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

The Structure of Literature Review in a Research Report An introduction which explains how your review is organized (Chronological, Approach.etc). Heading and subheadings (categories for writing) that provide a map to show various strands of your arguments A summary where the key arguments are reiterated in a concise way 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Ordering of Reviews Panchayatiraj in Tribal Areas of Madhya Pradesh Distant to close Most distantly related to your work .Most closely related to your work Panchayatiraj in Madhya Pradesh Panchayatiraj in India 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Ordering of Reviews Chronological Earliest( most old) related work Most recent related work Poverty Studies- 1970s Poverty Studies- 1990s Poverty Studies- 2010s 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Ordering of Reviews Comparison and contrast between different approaches/theories One approach an alternative approach Another approach (Agrarian Labour Relations) New Institutional Economic Approach(NIE) Marxist Political Economic Approach(MPE) Social Interactionist Approach(SIA) 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

After reviewing. Mention the research gap and justification of your work (rationale of the study). Specify objectives of your study. Justify your Methodology to deal with the objectives. Chalk out method and data collection strategy for the study. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Some Practical Suggestions Read specialized book by prominent scholar to comprehend the theoretical as well as empirical issues of the concerned subject. Read peer reviewed journal articles for recent theoretical and empirical developments. Refer to working papers to understand what type researches are going on the topic by different scholar at present. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Do not try to read everything, consult concerned experts for filtering down to good and relevant literature. Develop a habit of writing while reading, mere photocopying or downloading of huge materials will not help to develop a good literature review. Develop a personal note taking system and reference note for review, it is also very much helpful in your future research. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Avoid plagiarism and grand fathers review, it will not help you to get conceptual and theoretical clarity. Be a critical learner (reviewer), it will help you to chalk out your own approach and new perspective in your field of research. 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR

Thank You 30 January 2019 CBP@ MPISSR