UGC NET 20th June 2019 (Paper 1) Q 2

1) A good review of research literature aims at: (1) Subjective analysis of the content. (2) Provides information about the authors and their affiliations. (3) Generates research questions and validating those questions. (4) Conducts multiple task-based screening. A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

C...Reviewing the literature: -Essential preliminary task in order to acquaint yourself with the available body of knowledge in your area of interest. -Literature review is integral part of entire research process and makes valuable contribution to every operational step. -Reviewing literature can be time-consuming, daunting and frustrating, but is also rewarding. Its functions are: a. Bring clarity and focus to your research problem; b. Improve your methodology; c. Broaden your knowledge; d. Contextualise your findings. a.Bring clarity and focus to your research problem; The process of reviewing the literature helps you to understand the subject area better and thus helps you to conceptualise your research problem clearly and precisely. It also helps you to understand the relationship between your research problem and the body of knowledge in the area. b.Improve your methodology: A literature review tells you if others have used procedures and methods similar to the ones that you are proposing, which procedures and methods have worked well for them, and what problems they have faced with them. Thus you will be better positioned to select a methodology that is capable of providing valid answer to your research questions. c.Broaden your knowledge base in your research area: It ensures you to read widely around the subject area in which you intend to conduct your research study. As you are expected to be an expert in your area of study, it helps fulfill this expectation. It also helps you to understand how the findings of your study fit into the existing body of knowledge. d..Contextualise your findings: How do answers to your research questions compare with what others have found? What contribution have you been able to make in to the existing body of knowledge? How are your findings different from those of others? For you to be able to answer these questions, you need to go back to your literature review. It is important to place your findings in the context of what is already known in your field of enquiry.