Answer:Reviewing existing research before conducting new research is crucial for several reasons: - Avoid Duplication: It prevents unnecessary repetition of studies that have already been done. This saves time, resources, and effort.- Build Upon Existing Knowledge: A thorough review helps researchers identify gaps in the existing literature, allowing them to focus their new research on addressing those gaps and contributing meaningfully to the field. It allows you to build upon what's already been discovered.- Refine Research Questions: The review process often helps refine research questions and hypotheses. By understanding what is already known, researchers can formulate more precise and relevant questions.- Develop Appropriate Methodology: Existing research can inform the choice of methodology for the new study. Researchers can learn from past successes and failures, leading to a more robust and effective research design.- Identify Potential Problems: Reviewing prior research can highlight potential methodological limitations or biases that need to be addressed in the new study. This helps to improve the quality and reliability of the findings.- Contextualize Findings: The review provides the context necessary to interpret the findings of the new research. It allows researchers to place their work within the larger body of knowledge and understand its significance.- Establish Credibility: A comprehensive literature review demonstrates that the researcher is well-informed about the topic and has considered the existing body of knowledge. This strengthens the credibility of the new research.- Identify Potential Collaborators: Reviewing existing research can help researchers identify other researchers working on similar topics, leading to potential collaborations. In short, a literature review is not just a preliminary step; it's an integral part of the research process that ensures efficiency, rigor, and relevance.