What is a Literature Review? The Cornerstone of Academic Research

Published: November 27, 2025

Author: Prismer Team

A literature review (Lit Review) refers to the analysis and synthesis of existing literature relevant to a central research question. Especially for young scholars, this part of the research is often the most challenging and time-consuming aspect. Articles in top-tier international journals frequently contain dozens or even hundreds of citations. However, not all citations relate to the core research question or central hypothesis; many are used for historical background, discussing control variables, or detailing technical specifications. These auxiliary citations should be distinguished from the core literature, which is the focus of the discussion below.

The literature review of core literature serves three main functions: clarifying contributions, providing a theoretical framework, and establishing theoretical rationale.

Function 1: Clarifying Research Contribution and Identifying Academic Gaps

Empirical research is factual and should therefore be foundational. While all scientific knowledge stems from observation, we don't need to approach every study as if it were the first. A literature review outlines the frontiers of the research field, making it clear what constitutes new ideas, new theories, or new data, what is existing, and what your novel contribution is.

Social science research needs to demonstrate its novel contribution, whether it's a new theory or new data. Without this fundamental requirement, research risks becoming universal repetition.

It is important to establish a connection with famous theories, but even more critical to delineate the boundaries with previous research. Identifying gaps or flaws in the existing literature is a common strategy. To effectively master the existing literature and identify true gaps, scholars can leverage specialized tools like Prismer to conduct faster, deeper analyses.

For example, Gould (1991) used the Paris Commune uprising to operationalize network structure, demonstrating how geographical networks influenced participation, thereby advancing collective action research.
Ingram & Roberts (2000) focused on the impact of cross-organizational private relationships among Sydney hotel managers, broadening the scope of research on organizational ties beyond formal relations.

In sociology, accumulation often relies on the inheritance of previous academic traditions (e.g., from Durkheim to Parsons; Marx to Wright), rather than a clear paradigm-driven accumulation seen in fields like economics.

Function 2: Providing a Sound Theoretical Framework

The growth of scientific knowledge relies on the construction of theory and the accumulation of empirical evidence. Without good theory, we accumulate only data, not knowledge. As Poincaré famously analogized: "Science is built up with facts, as a house is with stones; but a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house."

Finding a theoretical perspective is the most important function of the literature review. Theory provides a lens for observation, even when examining new phenomena.

Researchers can create their own theoretical frameworks, but even when developing a new theory, a thorough and critical appraisal of existing theories is essential. Advanced analytical platforms, available through Prismer, can help researchers efficiently map and critique complex theoretical landscapes for framework development. By clarifying the origins and distinctions from existing theories, the researcher can articulate their unique contribution.

Function 3: Establishing Theoretical Rationale and Research Significance

If the first two functions are successfully achieved, the theoretical rationale will follow naturally. By formulating the research question within the existing literature and connecting the study to important theories, the researcher has already demonstrated the significance and value of the research. The literature review serves as the bridge that links the empirical data to the broader theoretical landscape.

Conclusion: Tips for Elevating Your Literature Review Quality

A well-executed literature review is crucial for high-impact academic work. It not only establishes context but also rigorously justifies your project's existence. Stop reinventing the wheel and use smart tools for more efficient literature synthesis and gap identification.

For faster, more comprehensive analysis of scholarly literature, explore Prismer.