Why is literature review important for researchers and consumers of research?
A literature review covers information that has been published in a specific field of study, and occasionally information that has been published within a specific time frame.
Although a literature review might just be a list of the sources, it often follows an organisational structure and combines summary and synthesis. A synthesis is a reorganisation or reshuffle of the material in a summary, which is a recap of the key points from the source. It could provide a fresh interpretation of dated information or blend fresh and outdated perspectives. Or it could outline the field's intellectual history, including significant arguments. The literature review may also assess the sources and advise the reader on which are the most topical or relevant, depending on the circumstances.
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