The second chapter of a research paper is typically an literature review. In this section, the author reviews the existing body of work on the topic being addressed in the paper. The goals of the literature review are to:
Introduce the topic and provide context for the reader.
Summarize the existing body of work on the topic.
Discuss the gaps in the existing research.
Offer a rationale for the research being conducted as part of the paper.
Establish the author's credentials in the field.
The literature review is an important section of the research paper, as it sets the stage for the work to come. A well-done literature review will demonstrate the author's knowledge of the field and provide a justification for the research being conducted.