What is the role of a literature review in research?

The role of a literature review in research is primarily to summarize existing research while identifying gaps in knowledge. This process allows researchers to understand the current state of their field, including what has already been studied and the findings that have emerged. By conducting a comprehensive review, researchers can situate their own studies within the broader context, ensuring they build upon existing knowledge rather than duplicating prior work.

Furthermore, the literature review helps in identifying unanswered questions or areas that require further inquiry, thus guiding the direction of future research. It also aids in refining research questions and forming hypotheses based on prior findings. In essence, the literature review serves as a foundation upon which new research can be constructed, making it an essential element of the research process.

In contrast, presenting new experimental data is a separate aspect of research that typically follows the literature review. Conducting surveys also represents a method for data collection, while dictating methodology pertains to defining the procedures used to carry out the research but does not encapsulate the summarization and contextualization role of the literature review.