Literature Review as an Epistemological, Interpretive, and Methodological Practice in the Construction of Scientific Knowledge

Abstract

The literature review is an essential component of the research process, as it enables the identification, interpretation, and organization of existing knowledge on a given phenomenon. From an interpretive perspective, this process extends beyond the mere collection of sources, involving the critical analysis of scholarly discourse to identify advances, conceptual tensions, and knowledge gaps within a particular field. This article aims to analyze the role of the literature review as an epistemological, interpretive, and methodological practice by examining its conceptual foundations, functions, and contributions to the construction of contemporary scientific knowledge. Specialized literature indicates that the literature review supports the development of the state of the art, the refinement of the research problem, the establishment of a robust theoretical framework, and the selection of appropriate methodological approaches, while simultaneously fostering the researcher's critical thinking. Furthermore, it situates the study within a broader epistemological context by connecting it with relevant theoretical traditions and ongoing scholarly debates. This chapter examines the literature review as both a hermeneutic and epistemological practice, emphasizing its conceptual foundations, principal functions, and contributions to qualitative research. It argues that a rigorous literature review not only synthesizes existing evidence but also strengthens the production of scientifically grounded, coherent, and contextually relevant knowledge capable of addressing the contemporary challenges of the social sciences.