Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Before starting a research project, which of the following is NOT a purpose of conducting a literature review?

1. What is known and not known about a subject

2. Gaps and inconsistencies in the literature

3. Unanswered questions about the subject

4. The expected impact of the research

The correct answer is: The expected impact of the research

Conducting a literature review has several key purposes that focus on understanding existing knowledge and identifying areas for further inquiry. One of those purposes is to determine what is already known about a subject, as well as what remains unknown or poorly understood. This involves assessing gaps and inconsistencies that can inform the direction of the research. Additionally, a literature review helps to identify unanswered questions in the field, which can guide the formulation of research questions and hypotheses. This foundational work is critical for placing new research within the context of what has already been established in the literature. However, while a literature review provides insight into existing knowledge and gaps, it does not primarily focus on predicting the expected impact of the research. This concept is more related to the specific objectives and potential contributions of the research project itself, rather than the literature review's role in surveying prior work and understanding the groundwork for the study. Therefore, the expected impact of the research does not fall under the core purposes of a literature review.