Craft effective searches starting from a general topic or research question.
Identify and use search tools, i.e. library databases, to locate relevant resources- books, articles and more.
Database demo & practice
Obtain citation information to appropriately cite sources
Wrap Up
You will likely go through the search process a number of times, performing different searches with different keyword combinations, to address the different components of your topic.
Systematic Searching | Handsearching |
#1 Identify your question. Identify the key concepts and related terms. Tip: You may want to re-phrase your question. Background reading can help you identify related terms and further define or narrow your topic. | Explore reference lists to locate other articles, books, or authors who have written on the same topic. |
#2 Find an appropriate search tool. Consider your subject matter, discipline of study, type of information needed (e.g. peer reviewed articles) | Locate cited by literature to view more recent similar or adjacent research. |
#3 Start with a simple search based on your key concepts. Tip: You may also have to look at literature that refers to one (not all) aspects of your research question. |
Browse the table of contents of relevant journals and special issues. |
#4 Use specific search strategies.
|
Review bibliographies or reading lists to locate recommended or key resources. |
#5 Search and skim results. Look for the language and terms that researchers use and that the database assigns to articles (Subjects). | Locate an expert Locate an expert the the field and browse their publications. |
#6 Switch up your searches. Use promising new terminology. Your search may become more sophisticated. |
SAGE Research Methods is a collection of resources and tools intended to assist researchers as they plan, conduct and analyze their research projects- including step by step directions for conducting a literature review.
Questions to Consider as you Review the Literature
Literature Search and review on your topic
Questions to ask:
How have approaches to these questions increased our understanding and knowledge?
Synthesis grids are organizational tools used to record the main concepts of your sources and can help you make connections about how your sources relate to one another.