Literature reviews are fundamental to epidemiology for several reasons:
1. Foundation for Research: They establish a solid foundation by summarizing existing research, which helps to contextualize new studies. 2. Identification of Gaps: They identify gaps in current knowledge, guiding future research directions. 3. Avoidance of Redundancy: They help avoid duplicating efforts by highlighting what has already been studied. 4. Assessment of Trends: They allow for the assessment of trends and patterns in disease incidence and research findings over time. 5. Informing Public Health Policy: They provide evidence to inform public health policy and practice.
