What is a literature review?

A literature review serves as a systematic and critical examination of existing research related to a specific topic. It involves the collection and synthesis of previous studies, theories, and findings that are pertinent to the research question or objective at hand. By summarizing and analyzing this body of work, a literature review helps identify gaps in the current knowledge, highlights trends, and situates the new research within the broader context of the field. It essentially sets the foundation for the new study by demonstrating the relevance and significance of the existing literature, aiding in the formulation of research questions, and justifying the need for the new research.

In contrast, comparisons of different research methods focus on evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of various methodologies rather than surveying existing literature. Evaluating the researcher's own findings pertains to analyzing the results of a particular study rather than summarizing previous work. Lastly, summarizing personal opinions on a subject deviates from the objective nature of a literature review, which emphasizes a scholarly analysis of existing data and research rather than individual viewpoints.