The literature review involves a paradox. On the one hand, you cannot effectively undertake a
literature search without some idea of the problem you wish to investigate. On the other, the
literature review can plan an extremely important role in shaping your research problem because
the process of reviewing the literature helps you to understand the subject area better and thus
helps you to conceptualize your research problem clearly and precisely. It also helps you to
understand the relationship between your research problem and the body of knowledge in the
area