How can one understand the core theories in a field through a literature review?

A literature review enables understanding a field's core theories by systematically synthesizing existing scholarly work to identify foundational frameworks, conceptual models, and their interrelationships. It traces the historical development and critical debates shaping the theoretical landscape. Effective reviews require comprehensively analyzing seminal contributions, key empirical studies, and major review articles. Essential principles include identifying recurring themes, tracing theoretical evolution, mapping connections and conflicts between theories, and critically assessing their underlying assumptions and evidence. This process hinges on accessing primary sources and landmark studies, with limitations arising from incomplete coverage or biases in the literature search. To achieve this understanding, researchers typically begin by identifying foundational papers and theorists through citation tracking. They then analyze these works to extract core propositions and categorize theories into thematic groups. Examining how theories build upon, modify, or contest one another reveals paradigmatic structures. Critically evaluating the evidence supporting major theories and situating them within the discipline's broader intellectual context provides deep insight into the theoretical foundations driving research and practice in the field.