In terms of efficiency, how are literature reviews viewed?

The viewpoint that literature reviews are considered relatively inexpensive and efficient stems from their ability to synthesize existing research and provide a comprehensive overview of a specific topic without the need for the researcher to conduct new empirical studies. This synthesis allows researchers to build upon previous findings, identify gaps in the existing knowledge, and frame future research questions more effectively.

Conducting a literature review typically involves searching through existing studies, articles, and reports, which, while potentially time-consuming in terms of gathering material, does not incur the high costs associated with primary data collection, such as experiments, surveys, or longitudinal studies. Furthermore, literature reviews can inform the research design and methodology for subsequent studies, making them highly valuable in the research process.

In summary, literature reviews serve as an essential tool for efficiently harnessing and processing existing knowledge, facilitating the advancement of research in a cost-effective manner.