Literature review意思

"Literature review" is a term used in the context of academic research to describe a comprehensive summary and critical evaluation of existing published research on a particular topic or field of study. The purpose of a literature review is to identify and synthesize the key findings, theories, and arguments that have been presented in the scholarly literature on a specific subject.

When conducting a literature review, researchers typically begin by searching for relevant articles, books, dissertations, conference proceedings, and other sources that are relevant to their research question or thesis. They then critically analyze these sources, evaluating their methodology, results, and conclusions, and identifying patterns, gaps, and contradictions in the existing research.

The literature review can serve several purposes in a research project. It can provide a foundation for the researcher's own work, by situating their research in the context of what has already been done. It can also highlight areas where further research is needed, and can help the researcher to refine their research questions and methodology.

In a research paper or thesis, the literature review often forms a separate chapter or section, although it can also be integrated into the introduction or other parts of the text. The literature review should demonstrate the researcher's knowledge of the field, and their ability to engage with and critique existing scholarship. It should also show how the researcher's own work contributes to and advances the existing body of knowledge.