How to Conduct a Literature Review

Database searching is an iterative process. This means that you will repeat it several times because as you search you are learning about your topic, including keywords and concepts. As your explore WNE's databases, try the following:

• Repeat your search in different databases to find additional results
• Start by searching broadly to develop an understanding of what is out there, what terms are accurate and helpful, etc.,
• Use a research log to track your key terms, databases, and where you leave off in your research
• Keep track of your sources with a citation management tool like Zotero
• Use citation searching to track how scholars interact with, and build upon, previous research
• Mine the references cited section of each relevant source for additional key sources 
• Find sources that are representative of the conversation surrounding your topic. Look for relationships, major themes, and any critical gaps in the research expressed in the work

• Check with your professor or a librarian to make sure your search has been comprehensive

As you research, ask questions about currently published literature: 

• Has anyone done similar research? If so, how is it different in method or scope? 
• What am I offering to my field, to my community, etc., that is unique? 
• Are there limitations to my research that I must be aware of as I move forward? 
• Is the literature I have found appropriate for my audience, scope, and purpose?
• Is there an abundance or lack of evidence? 

Take advantage of the help of a research librarian. You can schedule a meeting with a WNE librarian at https://wne.libcal.com/appointments.

1. Use keywords and search terms
   1. Express your topic in a topic sentence: “What is the effect of television violence on children?”
   2. Generate keyword search terms by identifying the main ideas or concepts within that topic sentence:  “What is the effect of television violence on children?” = Television, Violence, Children
   3. Expand your search terms by brainstorming related terms or synonyms that describe your main ideas
2. Combine search terms using AND and OR
   1. AND – Narrows and focuses the search results. The search mathematics and curriculum will bring only results where both the terms mathematics and curriculum are present.
   2. OR – Broadens the search results. Using or will bring results where the term mathematics is present, or results where curriculum is present, or results where both terms are present. Or is useful if you have more than one way to refer to a concept -- Example: elementary or primary.
3. Keep phrases together
   1. Use " " around multiple words to designate a phrase search.  For example:  "road rage" 
4. Limiters and filters
   1. Database often have options that let you control what type of document you want to search: article type, date, language, publication, etc.