What is the primary purpose of a literature review in research?

The primary purpose of a literature review in research is to summarize past studies and identify research gaps. A literature review provides a comprehensive overview of existing research on a topic, allowing researchers to synthesize findings and contextualize their work within the broader field. This process is essential because it helps to illuminate areas where further inquiry is needed, guiding future research questions and hypotheses. By evaluating and summarizing previous studies, researchers can build on existing knowledge, avoid duplication of effort, and ensure that their work addresses unanswered questions or unexplored aspects of a subject.

In contrast, presenting original data findings pertains to the outcomes and results of a specific study, rather than surveying existing literature. Outlining the research methodology focuses on detailing how a study is conducted, which is a separate aspect of the research process. Ensuring statistical significance is a concern related to analyzing data and interpreting results, rather than reviewing literature. Each of these other options serves a distinct purpose, but they do not encompass the main objective of a literature review, which is fundamentally about summarizing and identifying gaps in existing research.