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Unit 20 Review of Literature

1. Point out the major purposes of literature search.

• To locate important independent and dependent variables of the research.
• To find out the research gap.
• To study the implications of the findings and variables involved in the research study.
• To provide a frame of reference for the research study.
• To appreciate the significance of the research study.

2. Name two important sources of literature, available in print form, which are widely used nationally and internationally.

Journals and reference books.

3. What are the technological sources of literature search? 

Following are the technological sources of literature search: 

a) Audio-video programmes containing interviews, presentations, real case studies, process of an event, contextual happening of a phenomenon, etc. 

b) Web-based documents available with the help of search engines like www.msn.mail.com or www.yahoo.com or www.google.com 

4. How does a researcher choose the area of her or his research?

The first thing a researcher does, while choosing the area of research, is to identify her or his area of interest and defme the different variables that would form the part of her or his research study. With the help of a matrix which has two major dimensions, namely, area of study and variables to be studied, the researcher can locate her or his research study. 

5. What is an annotated bibliography?

Annotated bibliography contains the title of the research paper, project or dissertation. the research problem, sample of the study, procedures or design of the study and results and conclusions of the study. 

6. What does a bibliography card contain? 

A bibliography card contains the following: 

a) Title of the paper, project, dissertation, and the like 

b) The research problems

c) Sample of the study

d) Design of the study, and 

e) Results and conclusions of the study.

7. What are the implications of selecting any method of review?

It is very important to select a method of reviewing literature. One finds different patterns of research reporting. One has to there tore, be critical in one's selection of method of review and reporting as per requirement of the research work undertaken by her or him . 

8. The following activities are suggested to you to carry out either on your own, or in a group comprising your peers and the counsellor.

• i) Based on the research area that you have determined or thought of, jot down the kinds and sources of literature that should be reviewed for further focusing and strengthening your own research area; and justify how, whatever you outlined, are the best means and ways to do literature survey.
• ii) Based on your research topic, the objectives of your study, and the lists of some of the related literature, prepare an annotated bibliography of those related literature, and outline in what ways will you be able to utilise them in conducting your research and writing your research report.

(i) Kinds and Sources of Literature: The kinds and sources of literature to review depend on the chosen research area. For example, if the research is about distance education and technology integration, literature sources would include:

• Academic Journals: Peer-reviewed articles in education, technology, and distance learning.
• Conference Proceedings: Papers presented at educational technology and distance learning conferences.
• Books: Scholarly texts on relevant theories, pedagogy, and technologies.
• Research Reports: Documents from educational bodies like the Distance Education Council (DEC), Educational Research and Innovation Committee (ERIC), and UNESCO, as well as university research centers.
• Online Databases: Accessing databases like ERIC, JSTOR, and Google Scholar for articles and reports.
• Government Publications: Reports and policy documents from educational ministries.
• Web-Based Documents: Online resources from relevant organizations.

The best means to do the literature survey would involve a systematic approach:

• Identifying keywords related to the research area to use in databases.
• Using a search engine to explore various resources.
• Reviewing abstracts and indexing services to find relevant studies.
• Creating a bibliography of relevant articles, books, and reports.
• Evaluating the quality of articles.

(ii) Annotated Bibliography: An annotated bibliography would involve:

• Listing each source with complete bibliographic information.
• Providing a brief summary of each source.
• Analysing how each source is relevant to the research topic.
• Explaining its utility for the research being conducted.

For instance, if your research is on "The Effectiveness of Online Mentoring Programs on the Academic Performance of Distance Learners" , an annotated bibliography would look like this: * Source: Anderson, T., & Garrison, D. R. (1995). Transcending Boundaries: Open Learning and Distance Education. * Summary: Provides a foundational overview of the theory and practice of distance education. * Relevance: Sets the theoretical background for the study on online mentoring and its role in distance learning. * Utility: Will be used to establish the conceptual framework of the proposal. * Source: Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2000). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2-3), 87-105. * Summary: Examines the use of computer conferencing to promote learning in higher education. * Relevance: Provides insight into the technologies that could support online mentoring. * Utility: Will help identify suitable online tools for use in this research.

• Source: Single, P. B., & Muller, C. B. (2001). When email and mentoring meet: Exploring the potential of e-mentoring. International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching, 1(1).
  • Summary: Explores the potential of e-mentoring.
  • Relevance: Directly related to the topic of online mentoring.
  • Utility: Provides practical insights that could be useful in this research.

Utilisation: These annotated sources will be used to justify the research problem, form research questions, develop methodology, and provide context during report writing. They will demonstrate a thorough understanding of existing literature and where the research adds to the body of knowledge.

This comprehensive response provides all the necessary details from Unit 20, answering all questions and meeting the requested formatting requirements.