In the literature review, the goal is to address the research question and broaden the understanding of topics related to the thesis. Conducting this review is crucial so that the researcher gains a more objective perspective on their topic and has evidence to support their theories or arguments. Information from previous authors and related works can address many of the arguments or questions raised in the research.

(b) to pursue a topic, problem, or question of professional and/or personal interest: Whether you are a teacher, a graduate student, or both, you might need to explore a topic through a literature review, either by choice or assignment. You could have a specific research issue in mind and might have even drafted some preliminary questions. Whether your focus is on graphic organizers, multiple intelligences, class size, or any other subject, a literature review can be a valuable way to pose questions and start finding answers. For example, if you have tried cooperative learning as a teacher and found it did not work for you, the literature might either surprise you or confirm your experience. Overall, a literature review is a great opportunity to deepen your understanding of a subject of interest.

(c) to pinpoint an area of further study: When you examine an existing research, If you are interested in a specific topic, you might find that there is little to no research on it. For example, if you want to study how learning strategies affect state test scores, you might not find much information on that topic. However, if you look at research on learning strategies in general, you might notice that while there is a lot of research on learning strategies overall, there is not much about their impact on test-taking. By digging into the literature, you can identify specific areas where more research is needed.

(d) to provide a rationale/background for study: If you are a graduate student working on a thesis, dissertation, or research project, you will need to include a literature review in your work. A literature review helps you gain a deeper understanding of your topic and builds a strong case for why your research is important. For example, if you want to study the use of math manipulatives, a literature review allows you to demonstrate why this topic matters and helps you refine your research problem, questions, or hypotheses.

(e) to survey or analyze research methodology: When you select a topic to study, identify gaps in existing research, and provide background information, a literature review can also help you to see how others have approached the topic. By reviewing previous studies, you can refine your ideas, spot any weaknesses, or find new research opportunities. For instance, if research on token systems mostly uses single-subject experiments, you might find that your questions are better suited for a large-group study. Alternatively, you might decide to explore the effects of token systems on student motivation in a more descriptive, qualitative way. In short, examining how others have researched the topic can guide you in designing your own study.