PURPOSE AND SCOPE - LITERATURE SEARCH:
There are many purposes for reviewing the literature before conducting a research study. The most important one is:
To determine what is already known about the topic that you plan to study. To get background for understanding what has been already done and illuminate the same for new study.
The research studies have recommendation for future research, which can be taken for new research.
To help locating theoretical and conceptual framework and related data which need to be included in the present study. That help to plan the research methodology, design, selection of tool, sample and plan for statistical analysis.
To find the comparative data that could be used for suppofting present findings and drawing conclusions.
To minimize the possibility of unintentional duplication about the problem for study and increasing the possibility of new study, which makes distinctive contribution to knowledge.
Scope: Review of literature generally begins with a research problem in mind. Occasionally literature review will help to select the topic. Previous research studies will decide to replicate the existing study and to examine another aspect of the problem. The review of literature is necessary, so that to narrow the problem to be studied. The researcher may be able to capitalize on successes as well as the errors of other investigators.