Human Knowledge

Human knowledge has three phases – preservation, transmission and advancement. Practically, all human knowledge can be found in the books and libraries. Man builds upon the accumulated and recorded knowledge of the past. His constant adding to the vast store of knowledge makes possible progress in all areas of human endeavour.
Review of related literature is an important component of any research work. The purpose of the review of literature is to build up the context and background of the research as well as to provide the basis for formulation of research questions or hypothesis. This helps in building a solid foundation on which any research is based. Since a good research is based upon everything that is known in the area of research,

It also provides a solid background for a research paper investigation. Comprehensive knowledge of the literature of the field is essential to most research papers. Previous research provides evidence with which the researcher needs to be familiar. It provides information to the researcher about what is already known and what is still unknown. John W. Best has rightly said, “Practically, all human knowledge can be found in books and libraries. Unlike other animals that must start anew with each generation, man builds upon the accumulated and recorded knowledge of the past.” Thus we can say that the effective research is based on the past knowledge. Since effective research is based on past knowledge, review of related literature helps to eliminate the duplication of what has already been done and provides useful hypothesis and suggestions for significant investigation by citing studies that show substantial agreement and those that seem to present conflicting conclusions. This helps to sharpen and define understanding of existing knowledge in the problem area and provides a background for the research

To show whether the evidence already available solves the problem adequately without further investigation and thus to avoid the duplication.
2. To provide ideas, explanations or hypotheses valuable in formulating the problem.
3. To suggest methods of research appropriate to the problem.
4. To locate comparative data useful in the interpretation of result.
5. To contribute to the general scholarship of the investigator.

Thus, the search for related literature is one of the important steps in the research process of any research work: a comprehensive study of the related literature is an essential and indispensable pre-requisite. Borg and Gall (1989) state, “Although the importance of a thorough review of the literature is obvious to everyone, this task is more frequently slighted than any other face of research…. Often the insights gained through the review will save as much time in conducting the research as the review itself