Which of the following best describes the purpose of a literature review? A literature review for a field of research ...

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The prompt asks: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a literature review? A literature review for a field of research ...

Because the provided options are missing, I’ll proceed by explaining the concept and then justify why the given correct option aligns with that concept.

- Restating the idea: A literature review serves to summarize, synthesize, and evaluate existing research in a field. It identifies what is known, what remains uncertain, and how studies relate to and build upon each other. It also situates the current work within the broader scholarly conversation and may reveal gaps, contradictions, and methodological trends.

- Why the selected statement is correct: The option labeled as correct—“c. describes and evaluates previous research in the field”—captures the core function of a literature review. It emphasizes two key activities: description (summarizing prior studies) and evaluation (critiquing methods, findings, and contributions). This aligns with standard scholarly practice where reviews map the landscape, assess evidence, and inform future research directions.

- Why other common options are incorrect (general guidance since other choices aren’t provided): Often, alternative descriptions might imply that reviews merely catalog studies without synthesis, or that they present new empirical results, or that they focus on a narrow subset of research without critical appraisal. Those views miss essential components: synthesis (not just listing), critical evaluation (not just description), and context within the broader field (not isolated study reports).

- Additional nuance: A robust literature review also assesses the quality and relevance of sources, discusses theoretical frameworks, and explains how the included studies interconnect. It is less about collecting every piece of literature and more about constructing a coherent, critically informed narrative that supports the rationale for the current work.

- In sum: The description and evaluation of previous research accurately captures the main purpose of a literature review, distinguishing it from mere summary or from presenting new data without context. This framing helps readers understand the scholarly landscape and justifies the need for further inquiry.

Dashboard Quiz on Literature Search

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a literature review? A literature review for a field of research ...

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类似问题

By definition, a literature review involves a thorough look at the major written works (research etc,) about your narrow topic.

While sometimes a literature review will have an introduction, body and conclusion structure, it is more common to structure it according to the topic.

A literature review should be written as a neutral document that almost never has a position statement.

Which of the following is not a recommended source for an academic literature review?

A literature review is a critical evaluation, not just a summary of existing research.

A well-written literature review helps identify gaps in existing research and justifies the need for new studies.

A literature review can help to:

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