Purposes for Literature Reviews Generally
- 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
- 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.
Additional Purposes for HEALTH SCIENCES Literature Reviews:
- to confirm that the research question has not already been answered adequately by existing research (prevents duplicate research)
- to assure researchers that their idea has not been tested and found harmful or deadly
- to confirm that professional decision-making is up-to-date with current knowledge and practice
