LITERATURE REVIEW
The literature review provides the foundation for this research by bringing together and examining existing studies related to the topic. Its purpose is not only to describe what previous researchers have found, but also to compare ideas, identify patterns, and highlight areas where knowledge is still limited or unclear.
By reviewing relevant theories, concepts, and empirical research, this chapter helps position the study within the wider academic conversation and shows how the research builds on what has already been explored. Ultimately, the literature review guides the reader from the broader field of study to the specific focus of the thesis, explaining why the research is needed and how it contributes to current understanding.
Source of Literature
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Academic research paper
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PhD/Master's research theses
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Academic conference papersGovernment reports/policy papers
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Textbooks
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Research and Subject areas
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Internet sources: Company websites, government websites, international organisations websites (e.g., WHO)
Heading 3
Evaluate Your Source
with CRAAP Test
Evaluate Your Source
with CRAAPTest
With the wide range of peer-reviewed journals available today, having clear guidelines is essential for selecting the most relevant articles for your research. The CRAAP test can serve as an effective filter to help you evaluate and narrow down your sources.
C - Currency
R - Relevance
A - Authority
A - Accuracy
P - Purpose
5 Useful Questions after Reading
a Journal Article
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Why am I reading this?
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What are the author(s) trying to do in writing this?
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What are the authors saying that is relevant to what I want to find out?
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How convincing is what the authors are saying?
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What use can I make of this?
Structure
of Literature Review
A well-structured literature review has the following sections:
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Definitions of concepts/ terms.
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Theoretical framework.
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Discussion of previous research already undertaken on the topic.
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Evaluation of previous research design.
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Summary of the research opportunities (research gaps).
Theoretical or Conceptual Framework
The theoretical or conceptual framework provides the academic foundation for the study by introducing the key theories and models that explain the research problem. This section outlines major concepts drawn from established scholarly work, explains how these ideas have developed over time, and demonstrates how they relate to one another within the context of the study. Rather than simply defining terms, the discussion critically engages with seminal sources and highlights the historical development of the theory to show its relevance to the research focus.
For quantitative studies, theories or models guide the research questions, justify what is being measured, and describe how variables are related. For qualitative studies, theories or models help justify and frame the phenomena being explored. Through this discussion, the section positions the study within prior research and demonstrates the learner’s understanding and knowledge of the theoretical foundations that support the research.
Thematic Review of Literature
The thematic review of literature forms the main body of Chapter Two and presents a structured synthesis of existing research organised around key themes or constructs rather than individual studies. Instead of reviewing articles one by one, this section groups related literature into meaningful categories to highlight patterns, similarities, and differences across research findings. Each theme typically begins with an introduction that explains its relevance to the study, followed by a synthesis of studies, a comparison of perspectives, and a discussion of methodological insights observed in prior research.
A brief summary at the end of each theme helps link the discussion back to the overall research focus. Themes may be organised based on key variables or phenomena, population or context, technological or environmental factors, behavioral or social influences, or policy and organisational dimensions, depending on the nature of the research topic. This thematic structure allows the literature review to build a coherent academic argument while demonstrating a deep and critical understanding of the field.
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