Which statement about literature reviews is true?

The statement highlighting that literature reviews can summarize both qualitative and quantitative data is accurate and reflects the broad purpose of literature reviews in research. Literature reviews serve as comprehensive overviews of existing research on a particular topic by evaluating, synthesizing, and integrating findings from various studies. This involves not just quantitative data, which includes numerical and statistical analyses, but also qualitative data, which focuses on descriptive and thematic insights.

Qualitative data provides context and meaning to human behaviors, experiences, or social phenomena, while quantitative data offers measurable insights. The strength of a literature review lies in its ability to encompass diverse methodologies, enhancing the richness of understanding within a given research area. By incorporating both types of data, the literature review provides a more holistic view, facilitating a well-rounded discussion of the existing knowledge base and potentially identifying gaps for future research.

In addition, highlighting only current behavioral trends, requiring extensive current information, or viewing literature reviews solely as preliminary steps do not encapsulate the essence and comprehensive nature of literature reviews, as they also involve analyzing historical research and creating foundational knowledge which can guide further inquiries.