The literature review: The fundamental element of a research project

Abstract

A literature review lies at the heart of conducting research, and in particular in undertaking a research project, and especially in writing a thesis or dissertation. It provides the intellectual context of the problem and will be utilized in all parts of a research project. To illustrate that effect Table 5.1 has been constructed. It shows a typical thesis structure, and outlines the connections of each stage to the literature view. Initially it has a fundamental influence uponthe methodology used. That itself might even be drawn directly from the literature, where the researcher decides to explore a well-researched issue in a new context.