Desk Research: Literature review

Discovery / ExplorationallBeginner

TL;DR

Collect existing information and background on a topic, users, or market.

Detailed description

Literature Review is a secondary research methodology that collects, analyzes, and synthesizes existing knowledge about a specific domain, users, or market before initiating primary research. This technique allows identifying patterns, trends, knowledge gaps, and best practices reported in previous studies, academic papers, industry reports, and specialized databases. Academic research demonstrates its value for grounding hypotheses and optimizing research resources (Interaction Design Foundation). It is essential for establishing a knowledge baseline and avoiding duplication of research efforts already completed.

Main objective

Collect existing information and background on a topic, users, or market.

When to use it

Initial stages (discovery/exploration) to understand domain and background.

Effort level

Low to Medium

Recommended number of users

Not directly applicable (documentary sources)

Advantages

✓Solid knowledge base
✓Very low cost
✓Identifies best practices
✓Saves research time

Disadvantages

✗Information may be outdated
✗Not context-specific
✗Possible publication bias
✗Requires expert synthesis

When to use

•Research start
•Hypothesis validation
•Domain understanding
•Decision justification

Metrics

Sources reviewed
Relevant insights extracted
Best practices identified
Knowledge gaps detected

Practical example

Review previous studies, market research, and trends before initiating primary research.

Free tool by UXR — UX Research Consulting in Chile