It is important to review previous literature based on your research problem to prepare supportive arguments and to strengthen your work. Its universal practice in order to generate new research work.
It is important because it allows you to identify how you are researching the topic or problem you are trying to address. This allows us to recognize how one's own research is installed in the discussion. This provides guidance for decision-making: has my perspective been discussed before, and how? Are there any new perspectives today? From what theories was it approached? Are they useful to me or is my proposal a novel perspective that has not been addressed much? The other issue is because it is then necessary to carry out a discussion of results and it is important to take up that reviewed literature, to discuss aspects not only related to the results, but also to the methodology and theory.
To establish gaps in the knowledge being presented by past studies. Ideally you don't want to have a replica study and so, whilst you are acknowledging that there are others who have explored the topic ... You are also identifying angles and ideas they might have missed out on.
A well-rounded review demonstrates your understanding of the field, enhances the credibility of your work, and ensures that your research is original and relevant to ongoing academic discussions.
The theoretical literature review helps to establish what theories already exist, the relationships between them, to what degree the existing theories have been investigated, and to develop new hypotheses to be tested.
Reviewing previous studies when writing a literature review is essential because it establishes the foundation and credibility of the research. It allows researchers to understand the existing body of knowledge, identify key theories and concepts, and recognize gaps that their study can address. By engaging with past research, scholars can position their work within the broader academic discourse, ensuring that their study builds upon rather than duplicates existing knowledge.
A thorough review of previous studies also helps in refining the research question, selecting appropriate methodologies, and ensuring the study is well-grounded in established theories. It provides insight into what has been studied, the limitations of prior research, and the areas that require further exploration. Additionally, referencing prior work enhances the reliability of a study by demonstrating an informed understanding of the topic, reinforcing arguments, and justifying the research’s significance. Without reviewing previous studies, a literature review lacks depth and context, making the research appear disconnected from academic discussions. Thus, it is a crucial step in producing a well-structured, meaningful, and academically rigorous research paper.