Why do a literature search

• Reading what others have done is probably the easiest way to find out about the current state of the art.
• Speaking with people about there work is also good, but most academic and non-academic researchers publish their best work.
• Reading may not be the easiest way to understand something, but it is relatively easy to get your hands on published work.
• You have to read with a critical eye.
• You have to understand what is being said.
• You don't have to agree with what is being said.
• You have to evaluate how convinced you are by a publication, and why you are convinced or are not convinced.
• Reading gives you access to theories.
• Reading gives you access to primary data.
• Reading gives you links to more sources.
• Reading is a fundamental way of building up your cognitive map of a domain.
• My supervisor said "you can never read too much".