Chapter 3 Searching the Literature

1
Chapter 3Searching the Literature
2
Reading the Literature

• You will need to understand what has already been
  written about a topic before you can ask a new
  question or develop a new way of answering an old
  question

3
Knowledge of the Literature

• Knowledge of the literature in the field and
  critical insight into the research in the
  students major field of interest is considered
  evidence of high scholarship. (Bookwalter
  Bookwalter, 1959)

4
Importance of Literature Review

• Once the basic question has been identified, you
  need to consult the literature to assist in fully
  defining the problem
• Conceptual literature
• Related research
• Serves as the basis for hypothesis development
• Synthesis of material provides content for the
  review of related literature and background
  information

5
Purposes of the Review

• Purposes of the review help the researcher to
• Gain an understanding of previous research work
• Develop a theoretical understanding of the topic
• Distill the question into a specific problem
• Develop a research plan (methods)
• Research approach and design
• Procedures and instrumentation
• Identify a question

6
Suggestions for Reviewing the Literature

• Read textbooks and other secondary sources
• Look at the most current literature first
• Identify the key words
• Check appropriate indexes
• Read primary sources
• Computer retrieval systems
• Sport DISCUS
• Medline
• Search the Internet

7
Research Reading

• Working bibliography
• Taking notes
• Note cards
• Computerized system (e.g., EndNote)
• Evaluating sources
• Review abstract of published article
• Scan article for potential value

8
Sources of Literature

• Indexes
• Reviews
• Periodicals
• Professional journals
• Magazines
• Computer retrieval systems
• Medline
• Sport DISCUS
• ERIC
• Internet

9
Searching the Internet

• Subject directories
• Yahoo
• LookSmart
• Search engine
• Google
• Lycos
• Northern Light
• Metasearch engine
• Copernic
• Metacrawler

10
Evaluating Web Information

• What is the source of the information?
• Check the URL address
• Who is the author?
• Is the information current?
• Are references provided?
• Are links to other websites provided?