Final answer:
The correct answer is A) True. A literature review is essential in political research to establish a foundational understanding of what has previously been explored, identify knowledge gaps, and properly situate the new study within existing literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
After formulating the idea for political research, it is indeed important to conduct a literature review to find out what is already known in this area of research. The answer to the question is A) True. A literature review is a comprehensive survey of existing research and publications related to the topic at hand. This process is crucial as it allows researchers to understand the current state of knowledge, identify gaps that need to be addressed, and prevent duplication of work. Looking through libraries, online databases, trade publications, and academic journals can provide a breadth of qualitative and quantitative information which is invaluable in situating new research within the existing body of knowledge.
A literature review ensures that researchers show awareness of prior research in their field. Moreover, significant and landmark studies as well as newer publications must be considered to gain a broad perspective. Besides, this exercise is not only helpful in guiding the research directions but also in refining and framing the research hypothesis. For instance, in studying crime, existing data from various sources can inform on how to fill knowledge gaps and design better research studies. Correct citation of these sources is mandatory, and ethical considerations such as avoiding plagiarism must be adhered to by student researchers and sociologists alike.