Purpose of a Literature Review
A literature review serves several important purposes in the research process. Here are the key ones:
Knowledge Synthesis
- Synthesizes existing knowledge and addresses key debates.
- Summarizes sources to create a cohesive understanding of the field.
Identifying Research Gaps
- Reveals gaps in existing research where more study is needed.
- Informs your work and advances the field by uncovering unanswered questions.
Contextualizing Your Research
- Positions your research within a broader academic context.
- Provides historical, theoretical, and methodological background.
Critical Evaluation
- Involves evaluating the credibility and quality of sources.
- Ensures only the most relevant and reliable information is included.
Building a Strong Argument
- Creates a solid foundation for your research or argument.
- Shows deep understanding of the topic and strengthens your study.
Contributing to Scholarly Discourse
- Adds to the ongoing academic conversation in your field.
- Helps advance the understanding of key issues within the discipline.