A literature review is a comprehensive survey of existing research, theories, and scholarly articles related to a specific topic or research question. Its primary purpose is to critically evaluate and synthesize the available literature, identify gaps in knowledge, establish the context for new research, and provide a foundation for further study.
A literature review typically includes:
- Summary of Existing Research: It summarizes key findings, methodologies, and perspectives from previous studies.
- Critical Analysis: It evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the existing literature, identifying limitations, contradictions, and areas lacking sufficient research.
- Identification of Gaps: It points out where further research is needed and suggests future directions for study.
- Contextualization: It situates the new research within the existing body of knowledge, showing how it builds upon or diverges from previous work.
A reference source that effectively defines and explains literature reviews is:
Source: Booth, A., Sutton, A., & Papaioannou, D. (2016). Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review. Sage Publications.
This book provides a thorough overview of how to conduct literature reviews, including methodologies, reporting guidelines, and critical analysis techniques.