Relationship Between Research Question And Literature Review

Introduction

A research question is a dimension used by researchers to identify the scope of a study such that it gives the key areas which will be covered in the research study. Literature review on the other hand is used to identify major areas of research as it states the key areas which will be covered and the extent of the research study. Literature review incorporates secondary sources of data whose information are expressed in a flowing manner. Literature review provides a clear impression of what will be included in the study in terms of current research as well as indicating the various areas which should be researched on.


Discussion

Essence of literature review and research questions

Research questions are used to direct the researcher to develop clear guidelines on the study. They are essential in setting boundaries as well as enabling the students identify the key areas which will be covered in the study. Similarly, they increase the student’s interest in the topic hence research questions determine the rate at which the study will be completed as well as ensuring that the student is able to pay more attention to the various aspects of the research (Taylor, 2010).After stating the research questions, the student is able to create room for gathering information based on the items which is included in the research questions. Hence the content of literature review is introduced by the research questions. This makes it equally important to begin by indicating the research questions before compiling the literature review (Taylor, 2010).


Research questions usually determine the timeline of a research project such that the researcher sets the questions keeping in mind the availability of resources such as time and finances. This way, the research questions are the significant determinants of what will be included in the research and what should be recommended for further research. Similarly, the nature of information in literature review should meet the time span stated in the research questions. In this case, only information which is relevant to the study will be included as well as being in the most appropriate amount. This is substantial especially where a student is carrying out a research project based on a wide subject that may present plenty of information and data (Taylor, 2010).


Most research studies include results obtained by previous studies in the literature review and this provides a better understanding of the topic at hand as well as predicting the out come of the research. Consequently, this aspect of including previous similar findings gives the student a better overview of the credibility of the study. This would not be the case if the literature review had preceded the research questions (Taylor, 2010).Literature reviews is often viewed as a response to the research questions posed in the earlier stages of developing the research. Therefore, there would be no need to include the research questions after the literature review due to lack of coherence as well as creating disruption to the procedures involved in compiling the research study. Consequently, the scope of the study may not be clear prior to stating the research questions as they are significant in presenting the scope of the study (Taylor, 2010).


References

Taylor, D. (2010), the literature review: a few tips on conducting it. Retrieved on June 12,  2010 from: www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific…/literaturereview. 





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