What is the purpose of a literature review in research?

The purpose of a literature review in research is fundamentally to provide a comprehensive overview of existing research on a particular topic or field. This overview is essential for identifying gaps in the current body of knowledge, which can highlight areas that require further investigation or exploration. By analyzing and synthesizing the findings from various studies, researchers can build upon previous work, form hypotheses, and establish the context for their own research.

Literature reviews also help to situate new research within the broader academic discourse, ensuring that the work is grounded in established knowledge while also contributing to the ongoing dialogue in the field. This process is crucial for advancing understanding and developing innovative solutions to research problems.

In contrast, options that focus solely on collecting new data, summarizing only recent publications, or presenting final research findings do not capture the full purpose and benefits of a literature review, which is much more about synthesizing existing knowledge rather than solely focusing on new data collection or summaries.