Conducting a literature review

MLWGS Library

W. DeGroat

March 2011

By ideologie

By dnkbdotcom

By gotplaid?

By JPDaigle

Conceptual framework

Concept mapping Key concepts in your

research question Related, broader, and

narrower concepts Building your word list

Subject thesauri Subject indexes Found articles

Author-supplied key words

Assigned subject terms Skim for key words

By culturecat

Key word vs. subject searching

Key word Literal, so need multiple

searches Casts a wider net

Subject headings Unites/connects terms About topic Reduces result set

Combine in Advanced Search AND vs. OR Using * (e.g. math*)

Preliminary reading & search strategy

Literature reviews Stand-alone literature

reviews Meta analysis Systematic review

Sections of published studies

Subject encyclopedias Print or digital

Identifying databases VCU Databases by Subject VCU Journal Locator

By florian.b

Evaluating Lit Reviews

1. Scope – explicit about topic limits2. Information search – extent clearly explained3. Documentation – accurate and complete4. Selectivity – criteria/rationale described5. Balance – in source types and publications6. Organization – sources similar enough to be

grouped under designated subheadings7. Synthesis – summaries describe relative

importance, connections, comparisons in findings/methodologies

8. Conclusion – analysis identifies opportunities for future research (e.g. gaps, conflicting results) Adapted from Williamson (2002,

p. 533).

By Vlad

By Krista76

Sources to examine

Journal articles – peer-reviewed primary research In subscription databases In reputable, peer-reviewed online journals In archives/databases of preprints

Government publications Scholarly books Dissertations and theses Conference proceedings and forums Reports published on organization web sites

A-B-C-D of Evaluation

Authority Bias

Does the researcher begin the experiment with an open mind?

Was there a sponsor for the study? If so, is there a potential conflict of interest?

Currency DocumentationAdapted from the University of Southern Maine (n.d.).

By ChicagoEye

Peer-reviewed vs. scholarly

Peer-reviewed (a.k.a. refereed) Rigorous review by experts (editors or anonymous) Typical criteria for acceptance by journal

Contribution to current body of knowledge Sound methods Objectivity / neutrality

Scholarly Written by experts in the field Before including, evaluate for relevance, quality &

bias Example - reports published by government

agencies

Adapted from the University of Southern Maine (n.d.).

Potential pitfalls

In your process Trying to read everything Reading without writing Not keeping track of

sources In your product

“Exhaustive summary” of every article you read

Including only conceptual OR research literature

Adapted from Conducting a literature review (n.d.). By Mr.Guybrarian

Conceptual literature

Discusses theory, summaries, or critiques of research studies

Provides a general overview of the concepts related to your study

Gives insight to assumptions and the historical development of the problem

Adapted from Conducting a literature review (n.d.).

Avoiding pitfalls

Take notes rather than highlighting passages Two-column notes (template on “Taking Notes”

page) Note cards feature of Noodle Tools Word/Google Docs

Tag or otherwise identify key concepts/threads for later clustering (may lead to subheadings)

Create an outline for your literature review Begin writing early Share early drafts with trusted peers for

feedback

Adapted from Conducting a literature review (n.d.).

Note-taking methods and tools

Library Research Commons

Passive paster vs. Active learner

Many methods Templates Tools

Noodle Tools Word/Excel/DocsBy podcom

By re-ality

Reference sources

Gale Virtual Reference Library (in PowerSearch)

NetLibrary l

Search this book vs. Table of Contents/Index My Library Find this book in a library

V LC call numbers and reference v. stacks VCU e-books (their NetLibrary is larger than ours) Resource Guides

Journal articles

MW Library Gale PowerSearch JSTOR and MUSE Science Direct

VCU Libraries Find Articles Journal Locator

Open sources Google Scholar DOAJ

Government documents

Digital USA Search Google Uncle Sam VCU databases for government information

Print VCU catalog

Limit format to US Government Document

Dissertations and theses

VCU Libraries Dissertation Abstracts Online Dissertations from VCU Digital Library of Electronic Theses and

Dissertations Google Scholar Archives/open access repositories of

universities with related research focus

Conferences and conversations Conference Proceedings

Open web Databases (e.g. JSTOR)

Discussion groups (a.k.a. forums) Google or Yahoo Groups Professional organizations Schools or centers at universities

Listservs (search CataList) Blogs

Project guide

http://sites.google.com/site/dragonlibrary Physics/Math Subject Guide Follow link for Riles/Walter - VCU Stats project

guide

Pour yourself a cup…

By Martapiqs

References

Conducting a literature review [PowerPoint presentation]. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20, 2008, from California State University Stanislaus, Social Work Department Web site: http://web.csustan.edu/Social_Work/

5991%20literature%20review.ppt

University of Southern Maine. (n.d.). Module 2: Conducting the lit review. In Department of Environmental Science, Literature Review Online Tutorial. Retrieved February 20, 2008, from http://library.usm.maine.edu/tutorials/ esp/module2/03a_sources_to_use.htm

Williamson, J.W. (2002). Healthcare informatics and information synthesis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.