Literature review in degree-driven research work: a call for desired level of attention

Abstract

Academic research works for award of degree are usually documented in five chapters. Each of the chapters makes various contributions to the making of the entire research work. However, while some of the chapters and their elements have attracted the necessary concern from textbook writers, lecturers and students, few other chapters lacked the attention deserved. Among the latter group is the chapter on “Literature Review”, usually Chapter Two. Literature review is a phrase that refers to “the selection of available documents (both published and unpublished) on a tropic, which contain information, idea, data and evidence written from particular standpoint to fulfill certain aims or express certain views on the nature of the topic and how it is to be investigated, and the effective evaluation of these documents in relationship to the research being proposed” (Hart, 1998). The thesis of this paper is that literature review lacks the attention it deserves in degree-driven research work, and that the reason for this is that its importance in the entire research work is not explicit to researchers and other stakeholders. Therefore, this paper is an exposition on the importance of the literature review chapter of degree-driven research work. It is presented in four sections that covered the concept, the process, importance of literature review and recommendation.

Keywords: Research, literature review, degree-driven research work (Long essay, project work, thesis, Dissertation)