Your study needs to have at least one base study, preferably recent. This base study is your thesis passport. This base study can be your model paper. If you are replicating a study, then you already have decided on your base study. You will need to understand the base study just as you understand your own study. Your base study will provide you with the roadmap to your own study, making your research process clear and focused.
If you are not replicating a study, then you probably have a similar study in one or more components of your research. For example, you may be following a research methodology that is similar to another study. If that is the case, then that study is the base study for your methodology. Some may have a base study for the nature of research, the framework, the analysis, the hypothesis, etc.
Your base study needs to be recent. If you find a great base article that is old, then look up recent papers that cite it. You will probably find a recent paper that can be your base study.
In every field of study, there is classic literature that almost every study cites. These studies need to be in your literature review. You need to be familiar with foundation articles in your field of study.
The base study is your passport to finishing your research project successfully. A great base study will get you going smoothly. If you don’t have a base study passport, then expect people to stop you and ask what you what are you doing and why it is important.
The author of your base study would be your role model that you believe is the god father of your research topic. So you have to fully read this author’s other writings, presentations, talks, and writings. Maybe get in touch with this author, she or he may inform your study.