Introduction
When conducting research, one of the essential steps is to review the existing literature on the chosen topic. Background literature review plays a significant role as IT helps researchers to understand the current state of knowledge, identify research gaps, develop appropriate research questions, and establish the basis for their study. In this article, we will explore the importance of background literature review by considering an example focused on the impact of gender representation in business leadership.
Importance of Background Literature Review
The background literature review is crucial as IT provides a comprehensive understanding of the existing knowledge and research findings related to the chosen topic. IT allows researchers to gain insights into the historical development, key theories, concepts, and methodologies in their field of study. By conducting a thorough literature review, researchers can identify the existing gaps and limitations in the current knowledge, which will help them to define the objective and scope of their research project.
Moreover, the background literature review helps researchers to refine their research questions and hypotheses. By reviewing the work of other scholars and researchers, they can identify the areas that require further investigation or improvement. This process ensures that the research is built upon a solid foundation and contributes to the existing body of knowledge in a meaningful way.
Example: Impact of Gender Representation in Business Leadership
Let’s consider an example to understand the significance of background literature review using the topic of gender representation in business leadership. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in studying the impact of gender diversity on organizational performance. To explore this topic, conducting a background literature review is essential.
reviewing Existing Literature
During the background literature review, various studies related to gender representation in business leadership should be considered. For example, a study by Eagly and Carli (2007) analyzed the leadership styles and effectiveness of both male and female leaders. They found that women tend to adopt more transformational leadership styles, which are often associated with positive organizational outcomes.
Another study by Catalyst (2018) examined the relationship between gender diversity on corporate boards and financial performance. The research revealed that companies with greater gender diversity on their boards tend to achieve higher financial returns and stock price stability.
Identifying Research Gaps
By critically reviewing the existing literature on gender representation in business leadership, researchers can identify research gaps. For instance, there may be gaps in terms of specific industries or regions that have not been extensively studied. Additionally, some studies may focus on specific aspects such as board representation, while others may explore the impact of gender diversity on various leadership styles or decision-making processes. These research gaps provide opportunities for researchers to contribute new insights and expand the existing knowledge in the field.
Development of Research Questions
Based on the findings from the literature review and identified research gaps, researchers can develop appropriate research questions. These questions should be designed to address the existing gaps and contribute to the understanding of the impact of gender representation in business leadership.
Conclusion
In conclusion, conducting a thorough background literature review is a fundamental step in the research process. IT enables researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge, identify research gaps, and develop appropriate research questions. By examining an example focused on the impact of gender representation in business leadership, we have demonstrated the significance of background literature review in contributing to the existing knowledge in a specific field.
FAQs
1. Why is background literature review important?
Background literature review is important as IT provides researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the existing knowledge in their chosen field. IT helps them identify research gaps and refine their research questions, ensuring their study contributes to the existing body of knowledge.
2. How does background literature review contribute to research?
Background literature review contributes to research by guiding researchers in refining their research questions, establishing the basis for their study, and identifying the gaps and limitations in the current knowledge. IT ensures that the research builds upon a solid foundation and contributes to the existing body of knowledge in a meaningful way.
3. Can background literature review help identify research gaps?
Yes, background literature review helps researchers identify research gaps by critically analyzing the existing literature. By identifying areas that have not been extensively studied or aspects that have not been explored, researchers can contribute new insights and expand the current knowledge in their field.
4. What is the example used in this article?
The example used in this article focuses on the impact of gender representation in business leadership. IT demonstrates how conducting a background literature review in this specific area helps researchers understand the current state of knowledge, identify research gaps, and develop appropriate research questions.
