Critical review of using the literature as a research method Essay

Critical review of using the literature as a research method - Essay Example 31). There are however, various drawbacks and benefits of using literature review to conduct a research on some selected topics such as female genital mutilation among other sensitive topics. These will be discussed in this paper. Literature review is vital in that it helps a researcher to get familiarized with methodology, weight and deduction of research conducted by other people on the chosen topic. It helps the researcher familiarize with the problem or need and to express the major aim of the research issue pertinent to the issue. This ensures that the researcher comprehends the wider context to the specific topic, issue or concern and to prevent the duplication of the current research in particular the out-of-date or inconsistent research. The research gets the general overview of the research body with which one is not well conversant with (Cresswell, 2003; p.13). It helps the researcher to position the research in the broader background so that one can make the relevant conclusion which might emerge from the research. Literature review is also very significant since it initiates the researcher to the demerits and merits of the different research methods and methodologies. The main intention is for the researcher to understand intensively the connection between the methods, methodologies and the outcome and to select the most relevant and fruitful methods for the data collected in regard to the issue, problem or need (female genital mutilation). It offers the researcher new ideas and concepts which can be applied in the research to enrich the content, applicability and relevance of the outcome. Another benefit is to familiarize the researcher with the possible effective reaction to the chosen topic, subject or need which other researchers have both made attempts and assessed for their efficiency. The main intention is to assist one to learn from the experience of