What is one purpose of conducting a literature review in research?

One purpose of conducting a literature review in research is to summarize existing knowledge and identify research gaps. This process allows researchers to assess the current state of knowledge in their field, understand the context of their own research, and recognize areas that have not been fully explored. Through reviewing and synthesizing previous studies, researchers can gain insights into theories, methodologies, and findings that have been established, which serves as a foundation for their own work. By identifying gaps, researchers can formulate specific research questions that address these unexplored areas, leading to new contributions to the field. This foundational work is essential in ensuring that the research is meaningful and builds on the existing body of knowledge rather than duplicating previous efforts.