Review of Literature

A review of literature is an essential part of the research process. The term ‘literature’ here, refers to the collection of all the scholarly writings on a particular topic. These writings can be in the format of books, periodicals, journal articles, conference proceedings, dissertations, online articles, etc. After the selection of a research topic, the next step in the planning phase of a research study is the review of the literature. It simply means becoming familiar with the existing literature, and a way to understand the existing knowledge on a particular topic.

The literature review is an integral part of the research process and makes a valuable contribution to almost every operational step. In the initial stages of research, it helps to establish the theoretical roots, clarity of ideas, and methodological practices on the present research topic. Later in the process, the literature review serves to enhance and consolidate the knowledge base of the researcher and helps to integrate his/her findings with the existing body of knowledge. It also helps to compare the findings of the researcher with other studies. A review of literature helps to identify the sources which were already used and interpreted.

Literature review in historical research is intended to understand and analyse the historical background, different historical perspectives, and different historiographical accounts on a particular topic. Historical reviews are focused on examining historical research on a particular topic from its starting point to its scholarly evolution over the course of time. The purpose is to place research in a historical context and to establish a linkage with existing knowledge.

In historical research, a literature review has many functions. The important among them are:

• To provide an understanding of the historiographical context of the present study
• To highlight exemplary studies on the topic
• To summarise, synthesise and analyse the arguments of different historians/authors
• To compare and contrast different authors’ views within the existing research
• To Identify research gaps and conflicts in the previous studies
• To justify the need for the present research problem
• To provide a theoretical and conceptual background for the present study
• To establish relationships between previous studies/theories
• To place the present research within the historiographical context

Identification of landmarks and any seminal publications relating to the research topic is the first step toward the review of the literature. The literature on a topic can be found in two types – the major works and the works based on them. Further, literature related to a particular topic may deal with two types of information: (1) Universal and (2) Specific. The initial purpose of a literature review is to establish the uniqueness of a research topic by placing its roots in the existing studies. A literature review with depth and breadth demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the literature and confirms that the researcher is up-to-date with existing knowledge on the present research topic.

For a better review, the researcher needs effective and critical reading. While presenting the review, the information obtained from different books and journals needs to be sorted under the main themes and theories. The agreements and disagreements among the authors should be highlighted. Various arguments should be substantiated with specific quotations and citations from the literature. It is also important to identify unanswered questions or gaps. The literature review can be organised thematically, chronologically, by the historiographical trend, by the development of historical events, ideas, and theories, etc.

Reviewing the literature is a continuous process. It begins before a research problem is finalised and continues until the report is finished. Literature reviews can help and guide the researcher in an appropriate direction by answering several questions related to the topic area. It enables the researcher to position his/her research in the broader academic community.