The Purpose of Literature Reviews

A literature review has various purposes, one of the most important is the identification of knowledge gaps in a specific topic. It also helps to understand the current state of knowledge of a research topic and guides the researcher into unexplored terrain. A good literature review helps answer questions such as how will this research contribute to the scientific community and why is this something new and interesting worth further investigation. For example, qualitative researchers may find that some topics have been covered quantitatively but not qualitatively.

A useful analogy when conducting a literature review is to think of a forest, where a researcher must describe the forest and not every tree inside it. In a literature review, researchers are essentially telling a story about the research problem they are addressing, why this research problem is important, and how they contribute new understanding of this problem. They develop their arguments in a research project based on the existing literature, constructing a narrative supported by the findings of their study. This first research step involves strict organization and a strong critical analysis of the previous literature. It also serves as a foundation for selecting and assessing the most effective methodologies and methods. For example, whether in-depth interviews or focus groups have worked better for similar research or if a grounded theory methodology is better than a narrative methodology for the study.

What is the purpose of a literature review?

Researchers can write an entire paper that is based only on a comprehensive literature review, summarizing research around a topic and providing guidelines for further research. More commonly, however, the literature review is presented at the beginning of an empirical study to lay the foundation on which the researcher's subsequent data collection and analysis is based. Researchers conduct literature reviews to avoid reinventing the wheel and ensure they are looking at the most updated existing knowledge on their topic of research. Reviewing relevant articles provides a solid foundation and context for the research, helping to establish where the new research fits within the existing body of work.

A literature review also helps build a theoretical framework, which guides the study and helps interpret the findings. By engaging with existing conclusions, theories, and models, a researcher ensures the study is connected to a broader scholarly conversation and the research topic is approached with a well-informed perspective. A literature review is the primary means through which researchers construct their arguments to justify the need for their research. Rather than "only" summarizing previous research, the literature review should clearly explain the author's reasoning for why studying this topic or research problem is important and contributes novel and interesting knowledge.

Another critical purpose of a literature review is to contextualize the new research within the existing body of knowledge. The researcher can demonstrate relevance by comparing their research objectives with those of previous studies. This comparison helps them understand how their new study addresses gaps or adds new insights. For example, a qualitative study on workplace motivation might build upon existing research, adding depth to our understanding of employee experiences and the nuances of motivational factors.

Finally, a researcher doing a thorough literature review of previous research can provide a roadmap for future studies. By conducting the review, the researcher will discover the gaps of knowledge that can be filled by their research as well as discover roadmaps of knowledge that other researchers can uptake. For example, in the field of education, a literature review might reveal a lack of qualitative studies on the different, numerous experiences of students with a disability, prompting further research in this area overall. The literature review solidifies the research focus and enhances the quality and relevance of the study.

When it comes to conducting a literature review for a qualitative study, it is important to recognize that the literature review is a highly iterative process, often occurring before, during, and after data analysis. While some highly inductive qualitative studies may delay engaging with a literature review until after their data has been analyzed, no researcher begins their study with a purely "blank mind" and has no familiarity with any relevant literature. For example, researchers read relevant literature to understand what is currently known about their research problem and what questions remain unanswered. In addition, reading key studies can provide researchers with "sensitizing concepts", or ideas about key concepts worth pursuing further in one's research and data collection (Blumer, 1969). After data has been analyzed, it is also crucial to revisit the literature in light of one's findings and highlight how these findings contribute to broader scholarly conversation. In other words, regardless of when qualitative researchers engage with the literature review, all researchers need to engage in literature reviews to understand current conversations around their topic and discern how they can contribute something new and interesting to this ongoing conversation.

The importance of literature reviews: Industry examples

Literature reviews play an essential role across various industries. From general overviews to building a theoretical foundation using existing theories, literature reviews focus on extant literature and shine a light on areas that need further investigation. The following examples illustrate the significance of literature reviews in healthcare, business and marketing, environmental studies, and education.

Healthcare

In healthcare research, a sophisticated literature review may reveal gaps in understanding patient experiences with chronic illnesses or other aspects such as experiences when dealing with medical professionals. Researchers can develop more patient-centred care practices by conducting a systematic literature review and critical evaluation of empirical evidence. Another example is how researchers can have a baseline of knowledge of the emotional impact of diabetes management in young adults if they conduct narrative literature reviews. This helps refine their research questions or research methods to focus specifically on an age group and avoid the redundancy of studying well-covered topics such as general diabetes management. These are just some examples of literature review objectives that a healthcare researcher may have.

Business and marketing

In business and marketing research, the purpose of a literature review is immensely valuable. Business and marketing literature may show extensive quantitative data on consumer behaviour trends but that lack qualitative insights into consumer decision-making processes. Qualitative research, such as in-depth interviews with consumers, can uncover the underlying motivations and attitudes that drive purchasing decisions, thereby highlighting the value of a literature review for advancing marketing strategies. For example, when investigating consumer behaviour toward eco-friendly products, a literature review can reveal gaps such as a limited understanding of purchasing motivations among millennials. This allows researchers to focus their own research on this particular topic, refining their research questions to address specific factors influencing millennials' purchasing decisions. After doing a comprehensive literature review, researchers can determine additional focus areas and direct research efforts to explore emerging trends.

Environmental studies

In environmental qualitative research, literature reviews are critical. For example, when exploring community perceptions of renewable energy projects, reviewing relevant literature can identify a limited understanding of local cultural influences on these perceptions. This allows researchers to refine their research questions to delve into cultural factors affecting community acceptance. Literature reviews also help identify theoretical frameworks, such as social acceptance theory, to guide analysis and interpretation. This ensures that the research paper is original and adds valuable insights into renewable energy adoption. Understanding the current research landscape helps researchers pinpoint additional focus areas, such as the role of local leadership in shaping perceptions, and direct research efforts accordingly.

Education

Qualitative education research is essential when examining the impact of teaching methods on student experience. The literature review can identify gaps, such as a lack of understanding about how specific pedagogical approaches influence diverse student populations. This helps the researcher address specific factors that influence student engagement. Another example is when literature reviews highlight the need for more qualitative studies on the experiences of minority students in higher education. This enables them to understand student challenges and develop interventions to support their success.

Important reminders

A literature review is indispensable across various industries because it provides a comprehensive understanding of existing research, identifies gaps, and lays the groundwork for new studies. It ensures that research efforts are not duplicated and promotes the advancement of knowledge. It also offers a well-informed basis for interpreting new findings. Researchers can contribute meaningful insights and innovations to their fields by critically evaluating and synthesizing existing literature. Whether in healthcare, business, environmental studies, education, or any other area, literature reviews drive progress and ensure that research remains relevant and impactful.

Literature reviews foster academic dialogue by highlighting underexplored areas and suggesting directions for future research. This ongoing exchange of ideas and findings enhances the collective understanding within each industry, promoting collaboration and continuous improvement. The different approaches of literature reviews are different approaches to ensure a thorough examination of the topic, providing a solid foundation for empirical studies and theoretical advancements.

Ultimately, literature reviews are more than just a preliminary step in the research process; they are pivotal in shaping the trajectory of scholarly inquiry and practical applications. Literature reviews help bridge the gap between theory and practice, by grounding new research in a well-established context. The literature review validates new research and strengthens its relevance and impact across diverse fields.

References

1. Blumer. H. (1969). Symbolic interactionism. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.