Literature review plays a significant role in any research work. In most of cases, research conducted aims at proving a specific hypothesis or adding value to a known idea. As a result, one starts by giving a review of what is known so as to help the leader understand the area that the research intends to cover. It is from the literature review provided in research that one is able to link his or her research with what is already known and show how his or her research facilitates in improving the research or filling the gap with respect to what was initially known in a specific area. When compiling findings from research, there are numerous technical terms and keywords that are used. Some of these words may be new to people going through the report. To ensure that they understand every term and keyword used in the research report, all these terms are defined within the literature review section of the report.
As earlier indicated, most of the research conducted are aimed at helping in establishing the truth or reinforcing an already known incidence. As a result, literature review helps in providing case studies and models that have already been used in the study. This helps the reader gain an insight of what the research is about and the various studies that have been used in comparing the study and what has been established in the research. Basically, the purpose of a literature review is to help the researcher come up with a theoretical base or establish the subject area of his or her research. It is also in the literature review that one is able to understand the methods used in conducting the research as well as the findings of the research. For example, a literature review provided regarding behavioral health data gives the importance of the research by revisiting some of the relevant programs. It also gives the reasons as to why these programs are selected and finally winds up by giving recommendations on how the gathered information will be used. This acts as an enhancement to initially researched information. The literature review helps the reader to understand the purpose of the report, gives some of the previous literature that has led to the need for the research thus helping the reader to come up with an idea of what the report intends to address.
It is in the literature review that one gives the methodology and data analysis. This helps the reader or the person using the report ascertain the accuracy of the findings by evaluating the findings as well as the method used to gather information. Thus literature review helps not only in informing the reader of the purpose of the research but also in helping the reader gauge the credibility of the report compiled.