The review of literature plays a crucial and essential part in academic study. It offers a thorough overview of existing knowledge on a given topic. It also serves as the basis for a researcher constructing their study.
The more we talk about the value of conducting a literature review the less it will be. Students struggling with this kind of a complex task can hire an essay writing service like MyAssignmenthelp.com and get it done.
On a more holistic note, here are few reasons why you should focus on literature of review:
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Identifying Research Gaps
Finding gaps in current research is one of the literature review’s main purposes. When a researcher starts a new study, they must ensure their work significantly contributes to the body of knowledge.
Check here to find out how to find gaps by reviewing the literature. This helps the researcher determine the scope and emphasis of their research and support the need for the planned study.
Consider a researcher who wants to investigate how a specific educational intervention affects students’ learning outcomes. If similar interventions have been researched, what those studies’ conclusions were and whether gaps have not been effectively addressed would all be revealed by a thorough literature study.
The researcher can modify their research question and aims in light of this information to close any gaps.
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Developing Research Questions
Over 70% students do not like to do homework. And they hate it even more when it includes tasks like dissertations. Any research project must begin with the creation of research questions. A review of the literature is essential in forming these queries. Researchers get insights into their subject’s main topics by carefully studying the available literature.
This information not only aids in developing precise and narrowly focused research questions but also guarantees that these questions are pertinent and enhances scientific understanding.
Using the educational intervention study as an example, the literature analysis may show that there is little data on the primary focus of most existing research.
A study question like “What are the effects of the educational intervention on student learning outcomes in rural schools?” could be created due to this discovery. In this instance, the literature review directs the researcher to a research question that fills a particular gap in the body of knowledge.
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Selecting an Appropriate Methodology
A crucial choice that researchers must make is the research approach. The literature evaluation offers information about the techniques used in earlier studies and their applicability to the current research goals. This aids in this decision-making process.
To ensure the rigor and validity of their study, researchers can benefit from understanding the advantages and disadvantages of earlier approaches.
For instance, the researcher might adopt a qualitative technique if the literature analysis indicates that prior studies on the same subject have mainly employed qualitative approaches to study the experiences and views of participants.
On the other hand, if the same topic lacks quantitative research, the researcher might opt for a quantitative methodology to provide a different perspective and contribute to the overall understanding of the phenomenon.
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Building a Theoretical Framework
A strong theoretical foundation is necessary for directing the research process and analyzing results. The construction of this framework is aided by the literature review. This gives the researcher a strong foundation of current theories, models, and concepts pertinent to the research issue.
Researchers can build a theoretical framework that best suits their study goals and aids in making sense of the gathered data by using this body of existing knowledge.
The literature review could introduce a researcher to various consumer behavior theories. This includes the Theory of Planned Behavior or the Elaboration Likelihood Model if they were studying the factors impacting consumer purchase decisions in the fashion sector. By comprehending these concepts and how they relate to their study, the researcher can integrate them into their theoretical analysis.
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Validating and Contextualizing Findings
The literature review plays a significant function in validating and contextualizing study findings and providing information for the early phases of research. After gathering and analyzing data, researchers compare their findings to prior literature studies.
This evaluation of the findings’ consistency with earlier research helps in discovery of any new insights. This also leads to appreciation of the relevance of the study’s findings in a larger academic context are all aided by this comparison.
It addresses issues like:
- How do the findings support or contradict preexisting theories and ideas?
- What useful conclusions can be made in light of the findings?
- Researchers can illustrate the significance of their work
- its relevance to the academic community
- And implications in the real world by firmly establishing their research within the literature.
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Avoiding Redundancy and Duplication
Another important benefit of doing a thorough literature review is research efficiency. Researchers should become familiar with the existing literature to avoid repetition and duplication of effort.
Studies that have already addressed their study issues or topics that are closely linked to them can be found, which can save time and money. Additionally, researchers can expand on it and advance the area by being aware of earlier work rather than simply repeating it.
Duplicate research in academia squanders important resources and fails to advance knowledge significantly. A thorough literature review ensures that researchers are aware of prior work. This enables them to adapt their study to target unknown areas or creatively extend the findings.
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Demonstrating Scholarly Rigor
An exhaustive review of the literature characterizes scholarly rigor. It shows that the researcher has put in time and effort to comprehend the area’s current status and is expanding on a strong knowledge base. This dedication to extensive research increases the study’s credibility and ensures that it is carried out ethically and responsibly.
A thorough literature review indicates professionalism and knowledge in academic circles. It establishes the researcher’s authority in their area. This strengthens the work’s appeal to readers and peers alike.
Reviewing the literature is a vital step in academic research. It is one of the major aspects that helps in defining the work, possibilities and previous events related to it.
