Here's what a literature survey does:
* Establishes the current state of knowledge: You find out what researchers have already discovered, what questions are being asked, and what the main theories and perspectives are.
* Identifies gaps in the existing research: You pinpoint areas where more research is needed, where existing theories are lacking, or where new approaches could be explored.
* Provides context for your project: You understand how your project fits into the broader field of study and what your unique contribution will be.
* Helps you develop your research question(s): The survey informs your research question by highlighting areas where further investigation is needed.
* Gives you a framework for your research: You learn about existing methodologies, data sources, and analysis techniques that you can adapt for your project.
How to conduct a literature survey:
1. Define your topic: Clearly specify the scope of your research and the key concepts you want to investigate.
2. Identify relevant sources: Use databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, PubMed, and specific databases for your field to locate books, articles, and other relevant publications.
3. Evaluate the sources: Assess the credibility, relevance, and reliability of the sources you find. Look at the authors' expertise, the publication date, and the methodology used.
4. Analyze and synthesize the information: Read, analyze, and summarize the key findings, theories, and arguments presented in the sources. Identify common themes, areas of agreement, and areas of disagreement.
5. Organize your findings: Structure your survey logically, grouping similar topics and findings together. You might use a thematic or chronological approach.
6. Write a literature review: Summarize your findings and discuss their implications for your own research project.
Benefits of a thorough literature survey:
* Stronger research: You can build upon existing knowledge and avoid repeating previous work.
* Clearer project direction: You can formulate more precise research questions and hypotheses.
* Enhanced credibility: Demonstrating a thorough understanding of the literature strengthens your project's credibility.
* Better understanding of your field: You gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and current debates within your area of study.
Remember, a literature survey is an ongoing process. You may need to revisit and refine your survey throughout your project as you discover new information.