LibGuides: Literature Review How to...: Purposes

Purposes of Lit Reviews

Purposes of a Literature Review:

to provide an opportunity to EVALUATE CRITICALLY what has been published on a topic
to identify MAJOR IDEAS and THEMES arising from what is known about a topic
to uncover INCONSISTENCIES, conflicts, or disagreements in what is known about a topic
to identify STRENGTHS or WEAKNESSES in existing research
to identify areas of research that are thoroughly researched (the science is settled)
to identify GAPS in knowledge about a topic (areas that need further research)
to identify WHO initiated discussion of the topic and why
to identify EXPERTS or competing theorists in a topic field
to identify SEMINAL works and landmark studies
to place the topic in an HISTORICAL FRAMEWORK or context
to help provide a BIG picture overview of what has been discovered about a topic over time
to trace the EVOLUTION of thought on a topic
to build a CONCEPTUAL MODEL underlying current thought
to identify HYPOTHESES concerning a topic for purposes of testing
to serve as a LAUNCHING PAD... for the next discussion, the next research project, the next idea, the next theory, the next concept.

? Why do faculty assign Lit Reviews ?

to give students a basic writing exercise
to give students the opportunity to discover a variety of new ideas and opinions on a topic
to help students develop information literacy skills required by a degree program's curriculum
to provide a vehicle that will engage students in higher-order thinking
to help students to become familiar with professional literature before graduation

Literature Reviews in the Health Sciences

confirm that the research question has not already been answered adequately by existing research (prevents duplicate research)
assure researchers that their idea has not been tested and found harmful or deadly
confirm that professional decision-making is up-to-date with current knowledge and practice