what is literature review in research methodology

A literature review is a comprehensive summary of previous research on a topic. The literature review surveys scholarly articles, books, and other sources relevant to a particular area of research. The review should enumerate, describe, summarize, objectively evaluate and clarify this previous research. It should give a theoretical base for the research and help you (the author) determine the nature of your research. The literature review acknowledges the work of previous researchers, and in so doing, assures the reader that your work has been well conceived. It is assumed that by mentioning a previous work in the field of study, that the author has read, evaluated, and assimiliated that work into the work at hand.
A literature review creates a “landscape” for the reader, giving her or him a full understanding of the developments in the field. This landscape informs the reader that the author has indeed assimilated all (or the vast majority of) previous, significant works in the field into her or his research.

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It’s on a much larger scale from your research for previous modules.

HDR candidates must undertake this module during the first 12 months of candidature (full-time equivalent).
This module provides a flexible study area that enables HDR candidates to engage interactively in different contexts. The module includes a pre-course quiz as well as post-course survey and quiz activities.

References:

http://libguides.tees.ac.uk/business_research/literature_review
http://www.jcu.edu.au/graduate-research-school/Workshops-and-training/RD7003-compulsory-workshops/research-methods-in-literature-review-module
http://guides.library.bloomu.edu/litreview