ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the practice of conducting a literature review, necessary in any research project. The aim of this chapter is to explain how, as a doctoral student, I approached the task of reviewing the literature in the field of HRD, and to explore the role of the literature review. I share a model I developed during my doctoral research that enabled me to identify both relevant material and potential gaps in the existing literature. The model could help researchers identify a number of factors. First, existing theoretical explanations of HRD, second, new areas where such explanations can be developed and expanded and third, even new theoretical explanations – that is, develop new knowledge and understandings of HRD.
