Importance of Literature Review

1 Importance of Literature Review A literature review is a systemic way of summarizing previous research done on a particular topic. It utilizes information from books, journals, and scholarly articles, among other scientific sources. This acknowledges previous research done on a similar topic and restructures the information obtained to inform current research. Conducting a literature review is essential in every research process. This paper discusses its importance and what to avoid when conducting a literature review.

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2 Importance of Literature Review The literature review provides the basis of every research topic. It provides meaningful information on a research topic that can be used as a foundation for new research. Through the literature review, the researcher can know the extent of research done on a particular topic and identify possible gaps that need more research (Booth et al., 2016).

As the foundation of research, a literature review helps in developing a conceptual theoretical framework. This helps identify variables specific to the research problem, hence giving direction to the overall research process. It is also essential in the synthesis of relevant topics within a research.

As mentioned, literature review is resourceful to research. It helps in obtaining similar information from previous research and utilizing it to guide current research. Through literature review, primary and secondary resources to be used in research are identified. Primary resources provide direct information, whereas secondary resources provide secondhand information analyzed from primary sources (Onwuegbuzie & Frels, 2016). Both of these are important in a research.

Last, literature research can help inform research analysis and outcomes. It gives access to methodologies that have been used in the past and their outcomes. This helps a researcher determine the most effective way to analyze data. It may also help inform new ways to research a particular topic (Onwuegbuzie & Frels, 2016).

What to Avoid When Conducting a Literature Review As much as literature review is essential, it can be detrimental when not done correctly.

Literature reviews are a formal way of analyzing available information on a particular topic. It

3 also bases on already existing work. Therefore, emotional phrases and personal opinions should not be used. Instead, facts from the works used should be quoted objectively.

A literature review should not be too descriptive of the material used. Rather, it should point out the relevant facts from the resource used. Also, it should point out appropriate aspects of the source. This includes methodologies used and any limitations that are apparent. Constructive criticism is important but should not bring out personal opinions.

The quality of sources used is important in literature review. Therefore, one should avoid using non-scholarly sources. Using inappropriate sources impacts the quality of information obtained and consequently, the research being conducted. Scholarly resources are credible and authoritative, giving valuable insights into a research (Booth et al., 2016).

Conclusion Literature reviews forms the foundation of a research process in various meaningful ways. It involves the utilization of past resources in informing a current research. Through literature reviews, a researcher gains more insight on the research problem. It also gives a guiding concept to utilize when conducting current research. A well conducted literature review should be formal, utilize proper sources, avoid plagiarizing and not too descriptive.

4 References Booth, A., Sutton, A., & Papaioannou, D. (2016). Systematic approaches to a successful literature review. Sage publications.

Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Frels, R. (2016). Seven steps to a comprehensive literature review: A multimodal and cultural approach. Sage Publications.