What is the Purpose of a Literature Review

Top 6 Reasons a Literature Review Is the Backbone of Any Research

A literature review prepares us for meaningful research by identifying deficiencies, elaborating the rationale, and determining methods. Students often use assignment help services as a resource to assist them in preparing a robust literature review that is evidence-based and adheres to acceptable academic standards.

1. Provide the Study’s Context

Purpose: To situate your inquiry in the context of existing knowledge.

A literature review situates your topic in the context of previous studies and defines the boundaries of your topic. Experts in essay help suggest that the literature review outlines the context in which you:

• Articulates important theories and concepts related to your topic.
• Intersects your inquiry with conversations happening in academia.
• Indicates where your research engages with the area of study.

2. Demonstrate Knowledge of the Topic

Purpose: To demonstrate your academic awareness of the topic on which you are studying.

By referencing reputable sources, a literature review:

• Illustrates your grip on the key ideas.
• Indicates important and current debates in the literature.
• Provides credibility to your approach to research.

This is necessary for postgraduate research and proposal writing.

3. Acknowledge or Highlight Gaps or Nuances

Purpose: To indicate what is missing, or not fully thought through, in the scholarly literature.

A well-executed literature review technically analyses the literature to:

• Make connections or contradictions.
• Identify underdeveloped areas to research.
• Explain the distinguishing features or parameters that contribute to the study.

4. Backing Up and Enhancing the Arguments

Purpose: To create a well-researched basis.

The literature review provides evidence for your thesis and these three forms of evidence:

• Citing trustworthy, peer-reviewed sources.
• Utilising previous studies to back up your argument.
• Making your study more persuasive and academic to publish.

5. Simplifying the Research Process

Purpose: To streamline your method.

Your review helps define your research stream through:

• Not reviewing work already done.
• Inform your decision on the research method.
• Unpacking your choice of qualitative or quantitative research methods.

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6. Contributing to Future Research

Purpose: To establish scholarly knowledge.

A well-prepared review does more than help your study:

• Identify gaps for future research.
• Propose new paths of research.
• Add academic credibility through contribution.

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ's)

1. What is the Main Purpose of a Literature Review?

A literature study serves the main purpose of identifying the research gap by evaluating the existing field of study and offering brief context to the researchers. It reflects a better comprehension of the topic which helps conduct quality academic research. Apart from that, it also leads the way to improved future research methodology.

2. What is the Objective of a Literature Review?

The main objective of the literature review involves the synthesis of knowledge from existing literature through critical analysis. It highlights key insights from studies that significantly enhance the research methods for academic writing. Lastly, it also provides the scope for further studies in the field.

3. What are the Specific Purposes of a Review of the Literature?

Some of the specific purposes a systematic review serves include providing a summary of findings from existing research and examining the research design. The other purposes include initiating a theoretical framework and identifying gaps in the study. Lastly, it leads to the generation of innovative ideas for future studies.

4. What are the Key Points of a Literature Review?

The key points for review of the study consist of a clear understanding of the research questions and an analysis of research methods. Apart from that, it also includes evaluating frameworks of research sources and providing a hypothesis for future synthesis of research. These are the main points for the study of the literature.

5. What are the Four Main Functions of a Literature Review?

The four main functions of a systematic review of literature include providing a summary of findings from existing studies, critical evaluation of research methodology, finding gaps in research, and forming newer research theories. These functions significantly enhance the literature review.

Conclusion

A literature review plays a significant role in research methodology as it identifies knowledge gaps in preexisting studies. It also ensures the correctness of work through evidence assessment by using reliable primary and secondary sources. The fact that it also helps in the synthesis of findings drastically improves the research quality. However, it is essential to provide proper citing and referencing to the work by adding a bibliography to help build trustworthiness in the written work. The above-mentioned purposes signify the relevance of a quality literature review in the writing assessment. It is known to all that a literature review holds optimum academic value as it is recommended by project supervisors while writing a dissertation/thesis. Understanding the important purposes of a literature review makes it essential to spend some time in the process. This time can be utilised to construct a literature study that adheres all the theoretical frameworks and citation policies to maintain academic integrity in the work.