REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

What is Related Literature?

-

Is composed of discussions of facts and principles to

which the present study is related.
Related literature is any published papers, books, etc.
that pertain to a particular topic.
The
review
of
related
involves
the
systematic
identification
location
and
analysis
of documents containing information related to the
research problem.
A review of related literature is a chapter included in a
thesis which outlines all the texts that are used and
analyzed in the thesis and texts that provide background
information into the subject.

Kinds of Literature:
Conceptual Literature it contains literature coming from
books, journalism, and other forms of material, concerning
or relevant to the study, but are date free or non
empirical material, coming from both foreign and local
sources.
Research Literature these are empirically - based, like
scientific paper, theses, and dissertations, both published
and unpublished, coming from local and foreign sources.
Importance of Related Literature:
-

They help or guide the researcher in searching for or

selecting a better research problem or topic. By
reviewing related materials, a replication of a similar
problem may be found better than the problem already
chosen. Replication is the study of a research problem
already conducted but in another places.
- They help the investigator understand his topic for
research better. Reviewing related literature and studies
may clarify vague points about his problem.
- They ensure that there will be no duplication of other
studies there is duplication if an investigation already
made is conducted again in the same locale using
practically the same respondents. This is avoided if a
survey of related literature and studies be made first.
- They help and guide the researcher in locating more
sources of related information. This is because the
bibliography of a study already conducted indicate
references about similar studies.

Characteristics of Related Literature and Studies:

-

The surveyed materials must be as recent as possible.

This is important because of the rapid social, economic,
scientific, and technological changes.
Materials reviewed must be objective and unbiased. Some
materials are extremely or subtly one sided, either
political, or religious, etc. comparison with these

materials cannot be made logically and validly. Distorted

generalizations may result.
Materials surveyed must be relevant to the study. Only
materials that have some bearing or similarity to the
research problem at hand should be reviewed.
Surveyed materials must have been based upon genuinely
original and true facts or data to make them valid and
reliable.
Reviewed materials must not be too few nor too many. They
must only be sufficient enough to give insight into the
research problem or to indicate the nature of the present
investigation.

Sources of Related Literature and Studies:

-

Books,
encyclopedias,
almanacs,
and
other
similar
references.
Articles published in professional journals, magazines,
periodicals, newspapers, and other publications.
Manuscripts, monographs, memoirs, speeches, letters, and
diaries.
Unpublished theses and dissertations.
The constitution, and laws and statutes of the land.
Bulletins,
circulars,
and
orders
emanating
from
government offices and departments, especially from the
Office of the President of the Philippines and the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports.
Records of schools, public and private, especially
reports of their activities.
Reports from seminars, educational or otherwise.
Official reports of all kinds, educational, social,
economics, scientific, technological, political, etc.
from the government and other entities.

Where to
Studies:
-

Locate

the

Sources

of

Related

Literature

and

Libraries,
either
government,
school,
or
private
libraries
Government and private offices
The National Library
The Library of the Department of Education, Culture and
Sports.
(Note: your related literature should be updated, it is
most likely recommended to use the latest research.)

Reference:
Calderon, Jose F. and Expectacion C.(1993. Methods of Research
and Thesis Writing.

The number may also depend upon the availability of related

materials. Sometimes there is a paucity of such materials.
Ordinarily, form ten to fifteen related materials are
needed for a masters thesis and from fifteen to twenty
five for a doctoral dissertation depending upon their
availability, as well as their depth and length of
discussions. For an undergraduate thesis, from five to ten
may do. The numbers, however, are only suggestive and not
imperative nor mandatory. These are only the average
numbers observed from theses and dissertations surveyed by
this author.