Why is Literature Review Important in Health Science Articles?
Literature reviews help identify knowledge gaps, establish context of a study, identify research questions or objectives, build theoretical frameworks, and avoid duplicated studies. Researchers in the health sciences and other fields can take advantage of literature reviews to develop high-quality studies.
In this guide, we will get to see why literature reviews are important in health science articles. We will also see steps to help you conduct literature reviews in health science articles and other vital information. Follow all the tips in this guide to carry out unique research and add valuable knowledge to the health sciences.
Why is Literature Review Important in Health Science Articles?
1. To identify the research gap
Literature reviews help researchers identify knowledge gaps in existing literature. Researchers can understand and study published material in the health sciences. Identifying knowledge gaps helps health science researchers spot areas where more scientific exploration is required.
Researchers keen to conduct novel research can identify knowledge gaps in existing studies, building a platform to create new studies related to relevant topics in the health sciences.
2. To establish the research context
Literature reviews help researchers establish a clear context for health science studies. Correct literature reviews provide a complete overview on current knowledge, concepts, and theories directly related to a particular topic.
Other health science researchers can synthesize and analyze existing literature to place their research in a wider empirical or theoretical frame. Setting a context is essential to enable all readers understand the essence of a health science study; highlighting all potential contributions to scientific research.
3. To build a theoretical framework
Building a theoretical framework is a crucial reason for conducting literature reviews in health science research. Researchers can conveniently identify several relevant models, concepts, and theories that can inform their studies through literature reviews.
It becomes easier to develop a framework for the selection of a research design including data collection and analysis for a particular topic. A theoretical framework helps researchers understand and interpret findings, bringing more depth and rigor to completed health science manuscripts.
4. To enhance methodological rigor
Literature reviews boost methodological rigor of articles by allowing researchers spot and assess methods used in existing, related studies. Researchers can understand strengths and limitations used in different methodologies from related research to guide their health science studies.
5. To support evidence-based conclusions
A literature review provides solid foundations for researchers to base studies on existing evidence. Critical analyses of current literature allows new research to establish an agreeing or conflicting stance based on available information.
Researchers can collect evidence from multiple sources to conduct their studies to support old findings, challenge theories, or deliver new insights.
6. To identify research questions and objectives
Literature reviews guide the formulation of new research questions and objectives. Researchers can engage critical analysis of existing literature to spot gaps, highlight unanswered questions, and ensure the relevance of such questions to the current topic.
7. To avoid duplication and redundancy
Conducting literature reviews allows researchers avoid duplicate health science research. Researchers can see studies conducted with similar designs, objectives, and research questions and avoid such studies. It allows all researchers build on existing information to create unique studies that add value to the health sciences.
8. To enhance critical thinking and scholarship
Literature reviews boost critical thinking and the creation of scholarly articles. Researchers can engage literature reviews and perform critical analysis and evaluation on the validity, relevance, and quality of existing studies.
Step-by-Step Process to Write Literature Review for Health Science Articles
Follow these ten steps to write correct, high-quality literature reviews in your health science articles:
Step 1: Define the research topic and scope
Step 2: Develop research questions and objectives
Step 3: Conduct a comprehensive literature search
Step 4: Screen and select relevant literature
Step 5: Read and analyze selected literature
Step 6: Synthesize and organize the literature
Step 7: Write the literature review
Step 8: Summarize and conclude
Step 9: Revise and edit
Step 10: Seek feedback and review
Adhering to these steps makes it easy to create relevant literature reviews to guide future researchers keen to replicate your studies or improve on your findings.
FAQs
What is the purpose of conducting a literature review in health science articles?
The purpose of conducting a literature review in health science articles is to gather, evaluate, and synthesize existing research and scholarly literature on a specific topic.
How does a literature review contribute to the credibility of health science articles?
A literature review enhances the credibility of health science articles by demonstrating that the research roots its foundation in existing knowledge and theories.
Can a literature review help in identifying research gaps in health science?
How does a literature review help in establishing the significance of research?
A literature review helps establish the significance of research by demonstrating how the study adds to the existing body of knowledge. It highlights the current understanding of the topic, identifies the limitations or gaps in previous research, and positions the new study as a valuable contribution to the field.
How does a literature review support evidence-based conclusions in health science articles?
A literature review supports evidence-based conclusions in health science articles by providing a foundation of relevant studies and research findings.
Is it necessary to update the literature review throughout the research process?
As new studies are published and the field of health science evolves, researchers should continuously review and incorporate relevant literature into their study.
Final Word
Literature reviews play a crucial role in the development of knowledge in health sciences and in general. Researchers can rely on the information from such reviews to identify gaps, establish context, build a theoretical framework, and boost the rigor and evidence-based findings in further studies.
Conducting thorough literature reviews help researchers position their work properly within the appropriate scholarly landscape. It also allows researchers contribute valuable knowledge to advance best practices, interventions, and management techniques in the health sciences. Follow all the information in this guide to write high quality, unique and relevant health science articles.