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Fig. 1.4.1 Importance of literature review in research

                                               Thus, undertaking a comprehensive examination of
                                            the  available  literature  offers  researchers  the  opportunity
                                            to unveil novel perspectives and insights into established
                                            material. Additionally, this process enables  researchers to
                                            trace the evolution of ideas within the field, fostering a deeper
                                            understanding of its intellectual growth. A thorough literature
                                            review allows for the assessment of various sources, guiding
                                            readers towards the  most relevant  and pertinent  research
                                            on the  subject  matter. Furthermore,  this  investigation  aids
                       The function of      in  resolving  conflicting  findings  in  prior  studies,  ensuring
                       literature review    a cohesive and comprehensive understanding of the topic.
                                            Moreover, researchers can identify gaps in existing research,
                                            highlighting  areas that  require  further  exploration and
                                            investigation.  Consequently, this raises the  necessity  for
                                            future studies and serves as a catalyst for additional scholarly
                                            inquiries. Lastly, through a comprehensive literature review,
                                            researchers can accurately position their own research within
                                            the broader context of existing literature, further contributing
                                            to the field's overall knowledge and understanding.

                                               For instance,  to aid in comprehending  the research
                                            problem, the format of a literature review should incorporate
                                            the following elements: a summary of the topic, problem,
                                            or theory being investigated,  as well  as a clear  statement
                                            of the goals of the literature review. In order to effectively
                                            evaluate the existing works, they should be organised into
                        Contents of a       themes or categories, such as those that support a particular
                       literature review    viewpoint, those that oppose it, and those that offer alternative
                                            perspectives.  Additionally, it is crucial to describe the
                                            similarities and differences between each work. Ultimately,
                                            the literature review should draw conclusions about details
                                            that are most relevant to the argument, viewpoints which are
                                            most convincing, and how the field of study can be advanced.
                                            The structure of writing literature review is illustrated in fig.
                                            1.4.2



                      78       SGOU - SLM - Foundational Skills for Research and Writing
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