Benefits of Conducting a Thorough Review of Literature

Benefits of Conducting a Thorough Review of Literature
It is essential to do a comprehensive literature review before writing a research proposal. The part of the study involves the researcher’s efforts in finding articles related to the topic they have chosen to work on. The literature review enables the researcher to integrate a solid foundation of knowledge in the field he or she has selected. As a result, the literature review offers direction to the research. In the case that questions arise during the process, the scholar will know what to focus on to ensure a quality research proposal. Therefore, a thorough review of literature is crucial in developing a valid and adequate.
One of the benefits of conducting a literature review is that it gives the researcher the opportunity to evaluate the contemporary state of the study on a topic. Once the scholar has an idea of the area they want the research to focus on, a search of relevant sources of knowledge would aid in determining what is already known about the topic (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). Therefore, following the search for significant information, the researcher will identify the areas that most studies have covered regarding the matter. The knowledge would help build on the background of the study thus increasing its quality and validity.
Additionally, a comprehensive review of literature aids in the pinpointing of experts on a certain topic. Looking through the available information would reveal which researchers have provided the most information on a specific topic and are, thus, the professionals in the research area.

For instance, an individual who has written twenty or more articles on a particular topic is likely to be knowledgeable of the field of study. Hence, the researcher can utilize the writer’s materials to as references in his or her study (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). Furthermore, identifying the experts would allow the scholar to know where to refer whenever they need some direction on the research proposal they are writing.
A thorough review of literature also enables the researcher to detect crucial questions about a topic that requires further research. In many cases, the scholar may find new areas that need more exploration by looking through the available information on a subject. For instance, research may propose that eating chocolate while studying may promote better retention of notions, but the study might not have evaluated whether a specific type of chocolate is more effective than the other. A researcher looking to pursue the topic would opt to follow up existing researches with a new study, founded on the previous investigation (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). Therefore, a literature review allows the researcher to identify the gaps in the studies on a specific topic giving them the opportunity to conduct an exploration that would answer the existing questions.
Furthermore, it is vital to consider the fact that a thorough review of literature helps in determination of methodologies utilized in past research of a specific topic. It is regularly valuable to reassess the types of studies that earlier researchers have embarked on as a way of deciding what techniques might be the most suitable for expanding on a topic. Additionally, evaluating the existing literature may give the scholar a hint on a new angle to take on a study (Leedy & Ormrod, 2015). Therefore, a thorough review of literature is essential before writing a research proposal as it gives direction to the study and provides the foundation to use in developing one’s exploration.
References
Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2015). Practical Research: Planning and design. Pearson Education.
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