How to Write RRL and Related Studies

How to Write RRL and Related Studies involves summarizing key theories and studies that are relevant to your research topic.

Focus on explaining theoretical concepts and analyzing empirical studies to establish the foundation for your study.

Example:

If you are a student researching “The Relationship Between Social Media and Self-Esteem,” here’s how you might write each section of your review:

Review of Related Literature (RRL)

In the RRL, you will focus on theoretical frameworks and concepts that explain the relationship between social media and self-esteem. For example:

• Introduce Social Comparison Theory (Festinger, 1954) to explain how people compare themselves to others, especially in social media contexts.
• Use Cognitive Behavioral Theory (Beck, 1967) to discuss how negative thoughts can be reinforced through social media interactions, leading to lower self-esteem.

Example of writing in RRL:
“According to Social Comparison Theory (Festinger, 1954), individuals assess their own worth by comparing themselves to others. On social media, this comparison often leads to negative evaluations, which can lower self-esteem. Additionally, Cognitive Behavioral Theory (Beck, 1967) highlights how negative thoughts about oneself are exacerbated by social media, especially when users see idealized portrayals of others.”

Review of Related Studies (RRS)

In the RRS, you will summarize empirical studies that have explored social media and self-esteem. For example:

• Smith et al. (2019) conducted a study on teenagers and found that increased time on social media led to lower self-esteem.
• Brown & Lee (2020) interviewed college students, discovering that exposure to idealized images on Instagram resulted in self-esteem issues, especially in women.

Example of writing in RRS:
“In a study by Smith et al. (2019), 500 teenagers were surveyed about their social media habits. Results indicated a negative correlation between social media use and self-esteem. Similarly, Brown & Lee (2020) conducted interviews with 200 college students and found that idealized body images on Instagram led to a decrease in self-esteem, particularly among young women.”

Review of Related Literature and Studies (RRLS)

In the RRLS, you will combine theories and empirical studies to give a complete overview of the relationship between social media and self-esteem. For example:

• You combine Social Comparison Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory with findings from studies like Smith et al. (2019) and Brown & Lee (2020) to show how theoretical frameworks explain the results of the studies.

Example of writing in RRLS:
“Both Social Comparison Theory (Festinger, 1954) and Cognitive Behavioral Theory (Beck, 1967) provide a basis for understanding how social media use can lead to lower self-esteem. This is confirmed by Smith et al. (2019), who found a significant relationship between social media use and self-esteem in teenagers. Additionally, Brown & Lee (2020) found that young women, in particular, were impacted by idealized portrayals on Instagram. However, future research could explore whether these effects differ across various social media platforms.”

Final Thoughts:

A strong Review of Related Literature (RRL), Review of Related Studies (RRS), or Review of Related Literature and Studies (RRLS) is essential for laying a solid foundation for your research.

It helps establish the context, highlights knowledge gaps, and demonstrates your engagement with existing work.

By combining theories and empirical studies, you create a comprehensive framework that supports your research’s significance. Always keep your review clear, focused, and updated as your study progresses to ensure its relevance and impact.