The Importance of Previous Studies، their Use and State in the Research Paper

Abstract

The current research paper aims at situating and putting in practice research paper among previous studies. It attempts at making a link between reviewing the literature and the research work in general. The term “previous studies” refers to any research that was carried out before the intended study and can be used as a reference for future studies.  There are many types of references; the most common are field studies that were carried out in form of a research article، this latter is usually published in scientific journals. Another type are the MA theses، and PhD dissertations that are longer in size and probably require more time. Furthermore، the researcher can use references from books، book chapters and even websites. References are so important in that any researcher needs to rely on when doing his research. They can help him in many ways such as; using them as data or sources، in referencing، methodology design procedure and even in fieldwork or practical part of his study. Reviewing a literature is not merely collecting previous studies، but it is expected that the researcher draws a link between his study and previous ones in an analytical way so that he compares what others found compared to the findings of his research. Such step serves to avoid any sort of mistakes and problems that may weaken his research and carry it out in a brilliant way. Similar uses enrich the research work quantitatively and qualitatively and qualifies it to be highly ranked among other research works. This latter can be beneficial for the researcher himself or others in the field. Situating the research or study in the intended field or stating the background of the study happens through many unavoidable methodological steps such as; the statement of the problem، the purposes of the study، the research methods، the population، the sample، data collection and analysis tools، which contributes in making it as a future reference as well.