3.6 Compare

In the planning stage you thought about the gaps in existing knowledge you had identified, and which you then used as a basis to develop your research question. Through the work you undertook in the earlier stages of your literature review you have a clear understanding of the existing work within the topic. At this point a comparison of the results of your literature review, with the gaps you had previously identified, will enable you to reflect, and consider, whether you now have enough knowledge to address those gaps. You can then evaluate whether you need to further refine your literature review.