What is Review of Related Literature and Studies?

What is Review of Related Literature and Studies?

 

          As you go through the research process, you often hear various citation styles, references and anything that requires extensive reading, specifically on Review of Related Literature and Studies. In Thesis, Chapter 2 is solely dedicated for such content. It has 2 parts; Literature and Studies. The common misconception is that, the two are just the same. The proper arrangement must be Local Literature, Foreign Literature, Local Studies, Foreign Studies and Synthesis.

 

          What are the differences in between Literature and Studies?

         

          Literature deals with articles, journals, books or any published material that undergoes rigorous peer-reviewed process to ensure that the manuscript is valid and factual. Meanwhile, Studies focuses on previous research, theses and dissertations, hence the namesake. These two are use as underpinnings on the field of study and as a proof that certain information can further elaborate evidences in relation to the present research.

            The Year of Publication must be taken into consideration that Research Advisers have their own discretion on its extent, it could be either “personal” or based on the University’s policy. Based on my experience during my Undergraduate Studies, my professor was very particular as she only allowed sources that were published within the 5-year period. My Post-Graduate is more lenient and “liberal” as they allowed us to include readings despite that they are “outdated”. I would like to assume that old publications have reached a certain degree of maturity and authenticity.

         

          4 “Common Honest Mistakes” Committed by Novice Researchers

 

          I understand that more often than not, Research or Thesis is the “least” favorite subject of students as it requires tons of readings, energy-draining data gathering procedure, not to mention sleepless nights due to endless revisions. Whatever our personal stories and point of view about the subject, be it known that it is valid as there is no such thing as “standard” when dealing with our own humanistic realities. Extraordinarily, there were also some who find this as an interesting subject especially on the data gathering process or doing the actual experiment. It boos the researcher’s curiosity on what could be the outcome.

            I would also like the readers of this website to set your expectations that Educators have their own means of teaching their students, even if it sounds “unconventional” due to the fact that you will experience “learning by doing”. In this case, not all Research Advisers mostly in Tertiary Education (in the Philippine set-up) will discuss the details as well as the process. Fret not, as there is also an advantage for such and you’ll be able to use that once you are already in the work force, you just need to open your eyes and wait for that time.

 

1.    The Longer the Better

There are certain aspects in human experience that the above mentioned is applicable, say for an example longer family time, vacation, and anything that can make us feel positive about life. In terms of Review of Review of Related Literature and Studies, students specially those who see the subject as mere “requirement” and “for survival” things could be different. They tend to do the perennial “copy paste” with the hopes of not getting caught. We have to be aware that although there are instances that we can be “lucky” in escaping, it doesn’t happen all the time. Universities’ can impose their own sanctions once they found out about the truth, worst is you can be kicked-out just a few months before your graduation.

I could recall a particular experience when I was in college some years ago as my Professor in Biology shared her story about her thesis. Unfortunately, not all Educators have a high-regard for being prompt, factual and accurate in things like these. She told us that she and her classmates included “prayers” and even nasty song lyrics to make the manuscript lengthier. I am not blaming her, maybe she is also a victim of poorly-discussed lecture in this area that is why she got away with it in an unacceptable manner. But it’s also alarming because she might influence her students to do the same mistake.

The rationale is instructing the students to read and comprehend the reference. Assume that you’ll be merely sharing a casual conversation to a peer, you would have to discuss the highlights based on your understanding. Again, students are tempted because either they were not taught the proper way or they just opted for convenience.

I do not advise paraphrasing for the reason that students will focus on “other terminologies” rather than the whole context. It is a must that researchers can always justify whatever details they have put into the manuscript as no one would like to be “grilled alive” during the actual defense.

 

2.    Wikipedia and Personal Social Media Accounts Could Never be a Use as References.

 

Some of you might say that it is a “rule of thumb” but like what I have said, our realities differ. I have committed a mistake particularly during the earlier part of conducting the study in college. Our thesis discussed the realisms of people who worked behind the camera, as they go through the process of conceptualizing and executing Philippines’ primary documentary programs, “I-Witness” and the now defunct “Reel Time” in 2016. As I was browsing the web while online in Facebook, I saw a certain “open-letter” by one of their staffs, addressed to the Management with regards to their working conditions. As my curiosity arises on the intrigue, I included that as a local literature, to my surprise, why I was corrected by my professor that social media posts are not qualified as references, it is and will remain an opinion by the person.

In Wikipedia, it is also a “well-known” and “given rule” that though there were certain information are correct, still it can be manipulated by anyone who knows how to use the “edit button”.

3.    Examine the References and Look for the Peer-Reviewed Ones

In the earlier part of this paper, I have mentioned that professors have their discretion on what should be included in the manuscript, as well as their format that varies from one institution to another.

Please be reminded that we live in an Era where everything was readily made for consumption. Information, factual or not can sometimes be overwhelming due to the promise of convenience. Moreover, the number of engagements or analytics in terms of search, shares and other activities equates to monetization of the providers, so you really have to be wary.

It would be a “shame” to the Academe if references were poorly-selected.

4.    Copy, Paste and Repeat

There are researchers who “shamelessly” brag that they were able to get

            away with this but remember, technologies now are prevalent as application such as Grammarly to make the lives of Educators easier, to check if plagiarism was committed. A person can commit this act whether intentional or unintentional but more of the former.

            To avoid this, always use proper citation styles like the MLA or APA format which are now in various editions. I would like to give an example of how we were taught in college with regards to this, which can be identical or not to other institutions. The first paragraph has to include the following information: Author (Surname then initials), Title of the Article, Year of Publication and Content while the second paragraph has to explain the coherence and relevance to the present research.

Example:

            According to A. Exupery in “The Little Prince” (1943), he stated that grown-ups tend to be forgetful that once in their lives, they were children, vulnerable to committing mistakes as they were innocent. (Citation)

Note: It is a must that you use the words “According to”, “Based from” and the likes as to signify that the researcher do not intend as if they own the concept of the literary piece.

            The reference is related to the study because it deals with the Philosophy that as people grow old, they become perfectionists as not to repeat the same faults in their own terms. (Relevance)

Tip: If more than one Author, use et. al instead, example: J. Hudson et. al as such is a Greek word, meaning “and others”.