What is the rationale for conducting thorough literature reviews before initiating research?

Conducting thorough literature reviews before initiating research is essential for several reasons, most notably to identify gaps in knowledge and ensure the study's relevance and necessity. By reviewing existing literature, researchers can determine what has already been studied, what findings have been established, and where there are unresolved questions or areas that have not been explored. This process allows researchers to position their work within the context of existing knowledge and highlight how their study will contribute to advancing the field.

Identifying gaps also helps in justifying the research by demonstrating its importance and potential impact. Without understanding what has already been investigated, a study risks redundancy or irrelevance, which can undermine its value. Therefore, a comprehensive literature review is foundational in establishing the rationale for new research and ensuring it is both timely and significant.

While finding potential collaborators, determining demographic trends, or enhancing theoretical frameworks can be important objectives in the research process, they are secondary to the primary goal of justifying the need for a new study by identifying gaps in the existing body of knowledge.