This document discusses literature reviews, including what they are, their functions, and how to conduct them. It notes that literature reviews critically examine and synthesize existing research on a topic, rather than just summarizing findings. They help justify future research, contextualize new findings, interpret studies, and cope with information overload. The document contrasts traditional, subjective reviews with systematic reviews that use explicit, reproducible methods. It outlines the key steps in conducting a systematic review, including formulating a research question, defining eligibility criteria, identifying relevant studies, assessing quality, analyzing findings, and structuring a report.