The function of a literature review in the research process

Full Answer Section

• Identify Gaps and Opportunities:By reviewing existing literature, you can identify gaps in knowledge or areas where current research is inconclusive. This helps you formulate a research question that addresses a genuine need and contributes new knowledge to the field.
• Contextualize Your Research:The literature review allows you to situate your research within the broader context of existing scholarship. You can demonstrate how your work builds upon or challenges previous research, strengthening the rationale for your study.
• Refine Your Research Question:The review process might lead you to refine your initial research question based on the information you encounter. It can help you ensure your question is focused, feasible, and aligns with the existing body of knowledge.
• Develop a Stronger Research Design:Understanding how previous research was conducted can inform your own research design. You can learn from successful methodologies and adapt them to your specific needs.

• Limited Scope:Deciding on a question too early can limit your perspective and potentially prevent you from discovering more interesting or relevant areas of inquiry.
• Missing Crucial Information:Without a thorough review, you might miss out on key information that could significantly impact your research question or methodology.
• Redundant Research:You might end up replicating existing research or addressing a question that has already been answered.
• Difficulty Contextualizing Your Work:If you haven't reviewed existing literature, it becomes harder to situate your research within the broader body of knowledge and demonstrate its contribution.

• Start with a Broad Topic:Begin by exploring a broad topic area that interests you.
• Conduct Preliminary Research:Use general search engines, academic databases, and library resources to gain an initial understanding of the existing literature.
• Develop Research Questions:As you learn more, refine your research question to be more specific and focused.
• Iterative Process:The research question and literature review should be an iterative process. As you review the literature, your question may evolve and become more refined.

Sample Answer

The literature review plays a crucial role in the research process, and rushing into a research question before conducting one can have significant drawbacks. Here's a breakdown of both aspects:

The Function of a Literature Review:

• Foundation of Knowledge: A literature review allows you to establish a strong foundation in your chosen research area. You gain a comprehensive understanding of the existing research, theories, methodologies, and debates surrounding your topic.