What is the primary purpose of a literature review?

The primary purpose of a literature review is to summarize, analyze, and synthesize existing research on a specific topic. This process involves collating various studies and findings to provide an overview of what is currently known in the field. By doing so, a literature review establishes a foundation for understanding the existing scholarship, identifies gaps in the research, and helps to situate new research within the broader academic context.

Through summarization, the literature review presents key findings and concepts from previous work. Analysis involves evaluating the credibility and reliability of these studies, while synthesis combines insights from multiple sources to form a coherent narrative or argument. This comprehensive approach is crucial for researchers looking to build on existing knowledge or explore new hypotheses.

In contrast, presenting personal opinions, defining historical contexts, or critiquing methodologies, while potentially useful in specific scenarios, do not encapsulate the overall intent of a literature review. The review is fundamentally about engaging with existing literature rather than expressing individual viewpoints or conducting methodological critiques without reference to the broader body of research.