The literature review is an essential part of your PhD proposal. This is because (among others): 

• It describes how your proposed research is related to prior and existing research in your area,

• It shows the originality and relevance of your research problem. Specifically, your research does not duplicate others in your field of study,

• It justifies your proposed methodology,

• It demonstrates that you are prepared to complete the research.

The assignments in this course have been designed to help you produce a good literature review for your proposal. You will begin by searching for articles that are related to your research topic. Then you will make a summary of the major points of those articles. A good summary will greatly help you in the next assignment, which is to produce a synthesis of your gathered literature. While working on your literature synthesis, you are expected to also work on your problem statement, research questions and objectives as well as your proposed methodology. At the end of this course, you are expected to have your 1st draft of research proposal ready, together with an oral presentation of your proposed research. 

Many students proceed with their PhD using the proposals they started out in this course. However, there are also those who change their topics as their studies progress. Regardless, the knowledge and exercise you gain from this course would really benefit you in your personal journey as a researcher. 

All the best!