Peer Review Quick Guide
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Completeness of Literature Review

A review of the scientific literature is an essential step in the research process. A literature review reveals the history of a line of research, provides the rationale for changes in direction, and highlights the truly innovative contributions made by teams of researchers advancing the field. A literature review is the basis for justifying one's own investigation.

The competitive nature of research endeavors require researchers to keep abreast of new developments in their respective fields of study. Because the number of published articles increases every year, efforts to keep current becomes more and more difficult, especially in light of competing non-research demands.

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Developed 2006 by the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, Northern Illinois University.