How do I plan the RRL?
The Review of Related Literature or RRL is a document discussing the references and literature relevant to the present research.
In high school and even college, the RRL is an important tool so that the student (and their reader) could appreciate the importance of their research. To reach this goal, the RRL must have a logical sequence and should also have sufficient references.
To have a logical sequence, it would be helpful to ask yourself: “What do I need to know first to understand this research? And what is next?”
This means that you will have to start by discussing general ideas before you move into discussing specific ideas.
The things that you “need to know” can become “themes” or “sections” in your RRL. To have sufficient references, try to write at least three paragraphs with at least three references for each theme or section.
One easy logical sequencing of the RRL is the following:
- Background information
- Theories and methods
- Related studies
Start your RRL by first describing the necessary background information. For themes under this category, try answering the questions:
What topics will we be talking about in this research?
What are the related research questions arising from these topics?This is important to do to ensure that you will have a correct understanding of the most basic ideas.
In theories and methods, try answering the questions:
What theories and concepts are necessary for this research?
What methods will we use for this research?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the theories, concepts and methods that we will use?This is important to (1) ensure that you will be using these theories, concepts, and methods correctly, and (2) understand why you will be using these theories, concepts, and methods and not any other possible option.
At this point, your group can now brainstorm and enumerate themes or sections that could answer the questions above.
In related studies which is its own section, try answering the questions:
What studies are similar to our currrent research?
What did they do that we can adapt to our own research?
What are their weaknesses that make our research necessary?This is important to do to (1) ensure that your research is novel, and (2) follow and extend whatever researchers have already discovered for this topic.
In other words, you will be helping if you did your research because it is based on what has already been done by researchers around the world. You will not be completing the research for yourself if you already know what others have done on this topic.
REMEMBER:
The Review of Related Literature or RRL will be the document that you and any other reader will use to understand satisfactorily the necessary concepts for your research.
It is necessary to have a logical sequence and sufficient references.
One easy logical sequence for the RRL is to first describe background information, then theories and methods, and lastly related studies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
A Guide to Writing the Dissertation Literature Review by Justus Randolph
Tanim Talino 