Stage 4: Reviewing the literature in your field

Why is this stage important?

Reviewing Literature in your field helps to:

1. Develop in-depth understanding of your topic
2. Understand the broader field of which your topic is a part
3. Explore important methodologies, controversies, and research issues
4. Identify names of key researchers
5. Be sure your research makes a unique contribution
6. Evaluate feasibility of topic
7. Position your topic in your field

Depending upon what you discover in this process and the requirements of your program, you may decide to refine, focus, or change your topic.

See Why do I have to do a Literature Review? on the University of Queensland’s website, and Why Do a Literature Review? at Central Queensland University

See also University of Toronto's "The Literature Review: A Few Tips On Conducting It"

1. Get oriented to the Library
2. Use QuickStudy for introduction to the Library research process
3. Attend Library workshops
4. Explore LUMINA: U Libraries Digital Library Gateway
5. Consult with Subject Librarians
6. Explore QuickStart to identify key resources
7. Explore Subject Resources to identify more in-depth resources
8. Study specific U of M Library and Special Collections web pages
9. AskUs! at the Library for more help

1. Find Books
1. Search MNCAT for all U of M books and view location and availability information
2. Use WorldCat to identify books at many other libraries nationwide
3. Check-out E-Texts, the electronic book collections, which are key for certain disciplines


2. Find Journal Articles
1. Search for article in an appropriate article index
2. Access journals by using Electronic Journals
3. Search MNCAT for journal location & availability information
4. Submit Interlibrary Loan requests for books and journal articles not owned by the U of M Libraries


3. Scan bibliographies/reference lists of articles for additional references
4. Look at Dissertations
1. Search for dissertations on your topic


5. Study Newspapers, if relevant to your topic
6. Use the tips to improve your use of the Internet or "Free Web"
7. Link to your professional association web sites
8. Ask professors and colleagues for syllabi with bibliographies from relevant courses

1. Identify key indexes in your field
1. Find indexes under specific subject listings at the U Libraries


2. Identify key books and journals in your field
1. Confer with faculty
2. Confer with the appropriate subject librarian
3. Look for materials published by the professional organizations in your discipline


3. Identify key researchers in your field
1. Read review articles in your major journals
2. Use citation indexes (to find who is most cited)


4. Identify key terms in your field
1. Read articles in key subject encyclopedias and handbooks in your field. See Subject Resources guide at the University Libraries for titles
2. Locate citations to key articles in the articles indexes of your field and identify subject headings/descriptors in those citations

1. Use Refworks or Endnotes to collect and organize your sources

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