What is a literature review?

A literature review is a comprehensive survey of existing scholarly work on a particular topic. It serves to summarize, synthesize, and critically analyze the current state of research, identifying trends, gaps, and key themes in the literature. By reviewing previous studies, researchers can establish a foundation for their own work, demonstrate the relevance of their research question, and provide context for their findings.

In conducting a literature review, researchers engage with various sources, including journal articles, books, and reports, assessing the contributions of each to the field. This process not only helps to inform the research design but also situates the new research within the broader academic discourse, highlighting how it adds to or challenges existing knowledge.

While the other choices mention elements related to criminal justice and research, they do not encapsulate the purpose and function of a literature review as accurately. For instance, summarizing legal statutes or analyzing criminal cases focuses on specific content areas rather than surveying existing scholarly work. Similarly, a collection of research proposals does not reflect the comprehensive assessment of existing literature but rather indicates future directions for research. Thus, the definition provided is comprehensive and represents the essence of what a literature review entails in an academic context.