2. Research a topic, problem or question of professional and/or personal interest: Conducting a literature review on a topic that interests us, either professionally or personally, provides a valuable opportunity to delve deeper into that topic. In doing so, we can ask questions and seek answers, discovering information that surprises us or supports our previous ideas. In any case, this review is an excellent way to learn more about what interests us.

   
   

3. Pinpoint an area for further study: By reviewing previous research, we may find new approaches or topics that have not yet been explored. If we decide to focus on a specific area, the literature review can help us identify whether there are few studies on the topic, which could point to a gap in knowledge. We may also discover aspects that still need further research, which opens the door to future explorations.

   
   

4. Provide a rationale/background for the study: Analyzing the available information on a topic not only helps us to better understand it, but also allows us to build a solid foundation to justify the need for further research in that field. The literature review highlights areas where information is lacking, reinforcing the importance of investigating those topics not yet fully studied.

   
   

5. Examine or analyze research methodology: By reviewing the work of other researchers, we can gain valuable insights into the methodologies they used. This allows us to identify possible errors in their approaches, learn from their methods, or even find new ways of approaching the topic. Thus, by analyzing their methodologies, we can improve the structure and effectiveness of our own research.

   
   

The first step is to select a specific research topic and delimit its scope to avoid it being too broad or restricted. It is important to establish inclusion and exclusion criteria that determine which studies will be considered, taking into account aspects such as the date of publication, the population studied or the methodology used. In addition, key words should be identified to facilitate the search in academic databases.

2. Performing the literature search 

To find relevant information, it is essential to use reliable academic databases such as Google Scholar, ERIC, PubMed, PsycINFO and JSTOR. Applying advanced search filters allows refining results and focusing on more relevant studies. It is also useful to review key article references, as they can lead to additional valuable sources.

3. Evaluate and select studies

 Once the studies have been collected, the titles and abstracts should be read to identify the most relevant ones. It is essential to analyze the quality and credibility of the sources, considering the methodological rigor, the impact of the study and the reputation of the journal where it was published. Those studies that do not meet the established criteria or are of low quality should be discarded.

4. Analyze and synthesize the information 

After selecting the studies, common themes and patterns in the existing literature should be identified. Comparing and contrasting research allows differences, similarities and gaps in knowledge to be recognized. To organize the findings clearly, it is advisable to use diagrams, tables or summaries to facilitate understanding.

5. Writing the literature review 

The review should begin with an introduction that explains its purpose and the relevance of the topic. In the body of the text, the synthesis of the studies organized according to approaches or themes is presented. Finally, the conclusion summarizes the key findings, identifies gaps in the literature and suggests future lines of research.