Unit 2: Literature Searching and

Theoretical Framework

Literature Review
Review of literature mean reviewing research studies or other relevant proposi�ons in the related area of
the study so that all the past studies, their conclusions and deficiencies may be known and further research
can be conducted.

According to Cardesco and Gatner, "A literature review is a self- contained unit in a study which analyses
critically a segment of published body of knowledge through summary, classification and comparison of
prior research studies and theoretical articles."

According to Walliman, "A literature review is a summary and analysis of current knowledge about a
particular topic or areas of enquiry."

A literature review is desirable before star�ng a research for the following reasons:

• To see what has and has not been inves�gated so far. To develop general explana�on for observed
varia�ons in a behavior or phenomena.
• To iden�fy poten�al rela�onship between variables that helps to formulate researchable
hypotheses.
• To iden�fy data sources that other researchers have used. To develop alterna�ve research work.
• To iden�fy issue that is le� in the previous studies.
• To iden�fy the methodology that is used by other researchers.

Purpose of Literature Review

• To know the research conducted in the chosen field: Literature review provides informa�on
regarding the issues on which researches were conducted in the past. It helps to the
researcher to find out the issues that remained untouched and helps to avoid needless
duplica�on of the research work. If you undertake the research in the issue that was already
studied by others, then your work is useless. Thus, to avoid such duplica�on and provide an
idea about the issues that are relevant to undertake research literatures are reviewed.
• To iden�fy the gap: A researcher finds out the untouched area or areas of contradic�on a�er
the literature review which is known as a research gap. A�er going through the literature, the
researcher can find out the area of contradic�on that can be taken as a topic for the further
research. Thus, the purpose of the literature review is to find out the topic in the area of
interest.
• To develop theore�cal framework: Literature review provides the founda�on for developing
comprehensive theore�cal a framework. Literature review shows the rela�onship between
variables that helps to develop theore�cal framework. The comprehensive theore�cal
framework helps to develop hypotheses. The researcher can undertake an empirical research
tes�ng hypotheses using various sta�s�cal and econometric tools.

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 • To develop research design: Research design refers to the en�re plan of the research. Before
designing the research plan (design), the researcher should decide about the variables,
measuring tools and techniques, procedures of data collec�on and analysis, etc. Literature
review helps to the researcher to decide over such phenomena of research. Considering the
design used by the previous researches present study can be conducted in similar issues.
• To update on current issues: Literature review helps to the researcher to know about the
current empirical or theore�cal issues of a par�cular area of research. Issues are changing
because of dynamism in the environment. Such new controversies provide a source of
research idea and also give direc�on to formulate research hypothesis and design.
• To know the methods of data analysis: Data should be analyzed to draw the conclusions.
Conclusions drawn by the use appropriate tools will be reliable. The literature review provides
ideas regarding the appropriate tools for different nature of data b Use of such tools for
analysis helps to increase the reliability of research.
• To assess the success of various research designs: Researchers use different design while
conduc�ng research. A researcher can evaluate the result of various research designs used by
previous researchers that help to find out success of various research designs. Based on that,
he/she can choose successful research design for his/her new study.

Kinds of Literature
There are three kinds of literature which are given below:

• Primary literature: Unpublished research, private correspondence and conference proceedings

are considered as primary literature. In some cases, such literature might be related to the
research problem of current researcher. Blogs and personal websites bring primary literature
directly to the public.
• Secondary literature: Published books, ar�cles, news media and published business, government,
private and interna�onal bodies publica�ons, are some major secondary literatures. Value of such
literature is high but informa�on in these publicly available media is likely to be less current.
• Ter�ary literature: This source is gateway to secondary sources They include encyclopedias,
dic�onaries, cita�on indexes catalogues and web-based portals and data bases. We use ter�ary
sources to track down secondary literatures which are relevant to the field of study.

Literature Search through the Internet

Literature Search through the Internet is a worldwide computer network that provides access to a large
range of literatures. World Wide Web (www) is mostly used as a part of the internet. It provides the link
to the texts poin�ng out the essen�al one. It provides instant access to the literature and data banks
managed for commercial purpose.

Most of the researchers, nowadays, are using substan�ally the interne for literature survey. But, researcher
should select the appropriate word and text while searching literature through internet otherwise the
effort of the researcher remains useless. All the materials provided in internet may not be reliable. Thus,
researcher should be able to iden�fy reliable source of literature considering author, publisher and so on.

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Researcher can use address of home page, internet sites and search tools to search literature in internet.
Subscrip�on of data base supplier and skill in using data base is essen�al for using internet with the
objec�ve of literature. Research can use following search engines to search literature:

Google: htp://www.google.com

Yahoo: htp://www.yahoo.com

Hotbot: htp://www.hotbot.com

Go: htp://www.go.com

Researcher can log on any of the above address and can find the literature or address of ge�ng literature
that is essen�al for literature survey.

Rela�on of Literature to Research

• Know the concept: Researchers should have concept related to their area of study. Such concepts
and domains of the concepts be obtained from the study of previous literatures. It helps proceed
further to the study.
• Select topic: Generally, Academic research topics are selected from the gap of the previous
studies. Researcher can find out the gap from the previous studies and finalize the topic of his/
her study.
• Iden�fy variables: A�er deciding the topic, a researcher should find out the major variables which
can measure the concept of the study. Researcher can find out such prominent variables going
through previous literatures.
• Frame conceptual framework: Researcher should establish the rela�onship between the
dependent and independent variables before conduc�ng research. Such rela�onship is assessed
only through the rela�onships established by the previous studies.
• Decide research design: Literatures provide ideas to the researchers about research designs that
are used in the study of different issues. Researcher can decide the research design for their
studies based on the study of previous literatures. Similarly, researcher also can assess the
successful design and apply the same in his/her study.
• Select the instruments for data collec�on: A researcher can collect data using various techniques
and tools like ques�onnaire, interview, observa�on, etc. A researcher can decide the appropriate
instrument for data collec�on only when he/she goes through similar studies. The researcher can
see the instruments used by previous researches in the similar issues and decide the appropriate
instruments for his study.
• Select tools for data analysis: Various analysis tools can be used to analyze the data. But
appropriateness of tool depends on nature and types of data. So, a researcher can decide, the
analysis tool considering the tools used by the previous studies in the similar issues.

Theore�cal Framework
A theore�cal framework is a conceptual model that shows the rela�onships among the several factors that
have been iden�fied as important to the problem. It is prepared a�er the literature review and interview

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with the concerned party and defining the problem. It presents logically to the previous research results
and develops scien�fic base rela�ng to the assump�ons with theories. It presents the rela�onship
between dependent helps to develop hypotheses.

Need of Theore�cal Framework for Research

Theore�cal framework iden�fies the variables, states the rela�onship of two or more variables, and
reasons of expec�ng such rela�onship. Thus, theore�cal framework is essen�al while undertaking
research due to following reasons:

• Clarity in variable: Theore�cal framework defines variables used in the research clarifying major
measuring factors of the variables. Such factors help in clarifying the variables.
• Data collec�on: Theore�cal framework provides guideline about the nature of data required i.e.
primary/secondary data. It also helps to develop ques�onnaire for data collec�on defining
variables.
• Data analysis: A rela�onship presented by the theore�cal framework helps to choose the tools
that are most suitable for the analysis of data.
• Show rela�onship: It present the tenta�ve guess rela�onship between dependent, independent,
modera�ng and intervening variables based on previous theories.
• Help to connect with theories: It connects the present research work with the previous
theories. Theore�cal framework is prepared based on previous theories and it is tested to see the
rela�onship is accepted or rejected. Thus, it helps to connect theory with the present research.
• Guide to interpret: It guides to interpret the results in cohesive manner. It helps to consider
possible framework and reduces biasness that may be seen in the interpreta�on.

Theory and Research

Research and theory are mutually related. Theory has different components like Proposi�on, concept,
construct, opera�onal defini�on, variable, hypothesis and model. Every research is based all above
components. Most of the basic research contributes to improvement in the theory. When theories are
tested in different situa�ons and the results are similar then it contributes to the development of model.
Thus, theory helps to undertake research in the systema�c way and research helps to improve in the
exis�ng theory or develop new theory. Therefore, they are reciprocally related to each other. It is
important for researchers to recognize the pervasiveness and value of theory. Theory serves us in many
useful ways. It;

• narrows down the facts we need to study.

• suggests which research approaches are likely to yield the greatest meaning.
• suggests a system for the researcher to use on data in order to classify them in the most
meaningful way.
• summarizes what is known about an object of study and states the uniformi�es that lie beyond
immediate observa�ons.

Research Approach
a) Deduc�ve reasoning approach: Under this approach, research works move from the more general
informa�on to the specific informa�on. It is the top-down approach. So, researchers start at the

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 top with a very broad spectrum of informa�on, and they work their way down to a specific
conclusion. It can be summarized as follows:
Begin with a theory or previous several studies→ Narrow down to specific hypotheses
Observa�ons for collec�ng data and test the hypotheses > ul�mately leads to a confirma�on of
the original theory or amendment of original theory refusing some dimensions of it and arriving
at a conclusion.
b) Induc�ve reasoning approach: It works the opposite way of deduc�ve reasoning. It moves from
specific observa�ons to broader explana�on and development of theories. It is a botom - up
approach. The researcher begins with specific observa�ons' discussions and interviews, and
detects paterns, formulates some tenta�ve hypotheses to explore and finally ends up the
research developing some general conclusions or theories.
Process of induc�ve reasoning approach is given below:
• Observa�on
• Find trend.
• Formulate hypothesis.
• Develop Theories

Research problem
Research problem is a gap between actual and desired state. A problem could simply indicate an interest
in an issue where finding the right answers might help to improve in exis�ng situa�on. Problem defini�on
is a clear and precise statement of issue that is to be inves�gated for finding solu�ons.

According to Sekaran, "Research problem is any situation where a exists before and the actual and the
desired ideal estate."

According to Kerlinger, "A good problem is defined as sentence or statement that shows what relations
exist between two or more variables."

Iden�fica�on of Research Problem

• The management problem: The first step is to make a broad statement as the management sees
it. Problem here means the dilemma or uncertainty faced by the management and feel some
issues are to be clarified. For Example:
 Can we get the gap in the market that we can exploit?
 How can we increase produc�vity?
 Is it beter to lay off exis�ng employees and recruit new employees from the labor market?
• The research problem: In the next step, management problems are translated into research
problems. This also should be in ques�on form. In the above example, research problem might be
what factors are causing reduc�on in sales? Why don't our adver�sement package is able to atract
new customers? The research problem should be able to give the answer of the management
problems. Frequently managers explain the symptoms not the problem. Reduc�on in sales is the
symptom not the problem and the researcher must focus on the causes. A research problem for
the above management problem may be, does new adver�sement package affect the sales of a
product?
• Research ques�ons: The research problems are more broadly developed. Research ques�on
breaks to that research problem into numbers of researchable ques�ons. The issue of reduc�on

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 in sales may involve a range of antecedents from low pay to low morale and low mo�va�on. For
example, does increase in pay increase sales? Does deployment of skilled salesforce increase
sales? Using the above sequence, a local problem can be brought into a structure that will allow
it to be inves�gated in a rigorous way.

Hypotheses
Hypothesis is the statement that shows the guess rela�onship between independent and dependent
variables. Hypothesis formula�on requires bases. Hypothesis is generated through induc�ve reasoning
where larger volumes of literature are deducted a number of ways but usually the result of a process of
and developed the testable hypotheses. The hypothesis should be testable and realis�c.

Types of Hypotheses
i. Direc�onal hypothesis: A hypothesis that is formulated using the words more and less, likes and
dislikes or comparing two variables is known as direc�onal hypothesis. It is known as direc�onal
because it gives the direc�on to the rela�onship of two variables.
ii. Non-direc�onal hypothesis: If any hypothesis shows the rela�onship or differences between
variables but does not direct the rela�onship such hypothesis is known as non-direc�onal
hypothesis. In other words, even though the rela�onship between various variables can be
es�mated but their rela�on remains posi�ve or nega�ve that cannot be declared then such
hypothesis is known as non-direc�onal hypothesis.
iii. Null hypothesis: The null hypothesis is a proposi�on that states a definite or exact rela�onship
between two variables. It states that the popula�on correla�on between two variables is equal to
zero or that the difference in the means of sample and popula�on is zero. In general, the null
statement is expressed as no rela�onship between two variables or no difference between two
groups.
iv. Alterna�ve hypothesis: The alterna�ve hypothesis is a statement expressing a rela�onship
between two variables indica�ng differences between groups. It is exactly opposite of null
hypothesis. Null hypothesis is denoted by Ho and alterna�ve hypothesis is denoted by H₁.

There may be two types of errors in the use of hypothesis in research . They are given below:

i. Type- I error: Such error takes place when researcher reject hypothesis because sta�s�cal tools
reject it even though it corrects.
ii. Type- II error: Such error takes place when researcher accept hypothesis even though it is wrong
because sta�s�cal tools accept Type- II error is more harmful than type-I error.

Formula�on of Hypothesis:
• Discussion: Having discussion with the experts of the same field on the development of problem
and their objec�ves, a researcher can develop hypothesis.
• Through internal data: Checking records and data that provide tenta�ve feature, direc�on and
other important facts. Based on these facts, researcher can develop hypothesis.
• Literature review: Reviewing the literatures related to the similar issues/problems shows the
rela�onship between the variables. Based on such rela�onship hypotheses can be developed.

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 • Interview: Researcher can take interview with the concerned person. Such interview provides
preliminary knowledge to the researcher. Based on the preliminary informa�on obtained from
interview, researcher can develop hypothesis.

Roles of Hypotheses in Research:

• Select required facts: A researcher comes across many factors during study but researcher should
confirm the required facts Hypothesis helps to the researcher in selec�ng relevant facts of the
problem.
• Confirm/ disconfirm theories: Hypothesis adds the new knowledge in the exis�ng knowledge by
confirming or disconfirming par�cular theories or proposi�ons. Hypothesis helps to test theories.
• Determine the types of data needed: It determines the types of data needed like qualita�ve and
quan�ta�ve and primary and secondary for the study and suggests the most appropriate
instruments for data collec�on.
• Direc�on of research: It gives new knowledge and direc�on to researcher. It directs a researcher
to know about the problem an about the research design its causes. It also provides direc�on
nature of data, etc.
• Suggest most appropriate tools for analysis: Different nature data and objec�ve of research
demands different sta�s�cal too for analysis. Hypothesis suggests appropriate tools for analysis
data.
• Provide framework for drawing the conclusion: Hypotheses are developed in a sequen�al form.
So, it provides a sequence and shows importance of mater. Researcher can draw conclusions in
the same manner. Thus, it helps to draw conclusions while preparing report.
• Acts as Bridge: Theory is source of hypotheses formula�on. Hypotheses leads to scien�fic
inves�ga�on. So, Hypothesis acts bridge between theory and inves�ga�on.