Why literature survey is important in research? What are the criteria of good research problem? - MBA Assignment Notes

Why literature survey is important in research? What are the criteria of good research problem? - MBA Assignment Notes

Answer:

A literature review is a compilation, classification, and evaluation of what other researchers have written on a particular topic. A literature review normally forms part of a research thesis but it can also stand alone as a self-contained review of writings on a subject.

Research is made in order to inform people with new knowledge or discovery. However, it is not to be expected that everybody would willingly believe on the research made. Thus, to make the research more credible it should be supported with facts. This is where literature review comes in. Frequently, an exploratory study is concerned with an area of subject matter in which explicit hypothesis have not yet been formulated. 

 

The researcher’s task then is to review the available material with an eye on the possibilities of developing hypothesis from it. In some areas of the subject matter, hypothesis may have been stated by previous research workers. Sociological journals, economic reviews, the bulletin of abstracts of current social sciences research, directory of doctoral dissertation accepted by universities etc afford a rich store of valuable clues. In addition to these general sources, some governmental agencies and voluntary organizations publish listings of summaries of research in their special fields of service. Professional organizations, research groups and voluntary organizations are a constant source of information about unpublished works in their special fields.

There are many reasons why literature review is rendered as a significant part of any research or dissertation paper. Literature review is a part of the researcher as it will give the opportunity to strengthen the research. This will prove that research is not just writing about any random subject but that many others have also poured their thoughts on the topic.

Horton and Hunt have given following characteristics of scientific research:

1. Verifiable evidence: That is factual observations which other observers can see and check.

2. Accuracy: That is describing what really exists.

3. Precision: That is making it as exact as necessary, or giving exact number or measurement.

4. Systematization: That is attempting to find all the relevant data, or collecting data in a systematic and organized way so that the conclusions drawn are reliable.

5. Objectivity: That is free being from all biases and vested interests.

6. Recording: That is jotting down complete details as quickly as possible.

7. Controlling conditions: That is controlling all variables except one and then attempting to examine what happens when that variable is varied.

8. Training investigators: That is imparting necessary knowledge to investigators to make them understand what to look for, how to interpret in and avoid inaccurate data collection.