The DBA/DIT Literature Review: Surveying the Scholarly Landscape Walden University Library Lynn VanLeer, MLS Librarian

Agenda Literature Review Scope & Purpose Problem Statement/Research Topic Library Resources & Research Tips Organization Google Scholar Citation Management Software

Literature Review Purpose & Scope Literature review “makes a case” for your personal doctoral study project – and highlights the research gap. Let’s the reader know that you are a proficient researcher. Scope Exhausting the literature entails using all the resources available to you. (You’ll know you’ve exhausted the literature because you’ll keep running into the same literature you’ve already seen for an extended period of time.) The Literature will include more articles than just you’re exact topic.

Problem Statement / Research Topic The best way to develop your topic and problem statement. Be Grounded in the Literature : First, read the literature in your general area of interest. Then refine a problem statement that follows from what you read in the literature.

What to Avoid Deciding on a problem statement before reviewing the literature is dangerous and can lead to difficult research/writing. Example: A DBA student may work at a company that just laid off several of their CPAs. From this experience, the DBA student may assume that there are not enough jobs for CPAs in the United States. The student asks the Library: “Can you find me statistics that prove that there are more CPAs than there are CPA jobs?”

What to Avoid Questions that come to mind: How do you know that X is true if you don’t have a stats or a source to prove X yet? What if we find overwhelming evidence that the opposite of X is actually true? On a practical note: trying to find specific proof for a specific need can be time consuming… …and what if the info that you find isn’t showing what you “want” …and if there’s no prior research, it will make for a poor doctoral study, even if it is a really good question or problem.

Ideal Path Identify your general area of interest Read a wide variety of literature discussing your general area of interest and: Keep an eye out for statistics or facts which you discover as you read that surprise, excite or shock you. This is the best way to find your “hook”. Carefully read the Conclusions, Discussions, and Implications for Future Research sections of articles. These are good places to find your “anchor” Now you can develop a research question based in the literature.

Look at Example DBA/DITs Use the Dissertations Databases to see what others have researched. Search in the Walden specific Dissertations & Theses @ Walden University database to find completed DBAs/DITs. This is helpful because they had a similar or the same rubric you’ll be using. Find DBAs/DITs relevant to your topic and look at the: Table of Contents Problem Statement Review of the Professional Literature

Dissertations Dissertations Databases: Dissertations & Theses @ Walden University The database contains full text of dissertations and theses written by Walden students. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global The Dissertations and Theses database gives you full text access to over 3 million dissertations and theses from schools and universities around the world, including Walden dissertations. Locate dissertations in the library: How do I find dissertations? How do I find dissertations or capstones by chair? How do I find Walden DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) studies? How do I find Walden DIT (Doctor of Information Technology) studies?

Library Help Library Help: Doctoral Appointments Quick Answers: Email Chat Voicemail (answered via email) Doctoral Appointments 30 minute appointment to work with a Librarian Phone or Skype for Business Quick Answers: Frequently asked questions with instruction and links.

Library Resources & Subject Research Pages Access all of the Library’s Databases: Databases A-Z How do I find databases by subject? How do I find multidisciplinary databases in the Library? How do I find Library databases with a specific type of material or content? Research Homepages: Business & Management & Information Technology & Systems Subject-specific databases Literature review research information Statistics & data Theories & theorists Residency material

Database Search Strategies & Tips Boolean Operators Database Limiters: Basic limiters Advanced limiters   Boolean Term What it Does How to Use AND Find items that use BOTH words adult learning AND online courses OR Find items that use EITHER of the keywords adult learners OR adult students NOT EXCLUDES items that use the keyword(s). NOT masters programs

Database Search Strategies & Tips Cont. Verifying Peer Review What is peer review? How to verify peer review using Ulrich’s Directory.   Locating DOIs What is a DOI? How do I find a DOI? How do I cite an article without a DOI? How do I find a journal's URL or homepage?

Database Search Strategies & Tips Cont. Search Alerts & RSS feeds  Search Alerts: Set up a search alert based on a previous search you've done. You are then alerted, typically with an emailed list, to new articles added to the database based on the search. Save time by not having to rerun your search for months to find the most up-to-date articles. RSS feeds: Similar to Search Alerts, RSS feeds pull together new articles from the database based on search information you provide. You need to manually add a feed reader to your browser of choice to use this option. 

Google Scholar Website: https://scholar.google.com Google Scholar Pros: Provides results for materials outside of the library Broad view of research on a given topic Google Scholar Cons: Does not limit to Peer Review Results can be overwhelming Note: It’s best practice to use Google Scholar to help expand your results but Library databases are best for locating the most relevant literature.

Google Scholar Cont.. Link Google Scholar to the Walden Library Allows you to access materials from the Walden library databases. Remember to click on the Find @ Walden link. The title of the article brings you to the publisher and they want you to buy the article. How do I get the full text of an article? Citation Chaining in Google Scholar Citation chaining helps locate articles based off an article you already have. This will help you exhaust the literature.

Organization Get & Stay Organized: Search Log Example Writing Center’s Literature Review Matrix: Literature Review Matrix Template (Word) Literature Review Matrix Template (Excel) Database Search Terms Results Notes ABI/INFORM leadership AND personality AND managers; limited to peer reviewed, 2014-present 17 term leadership styles used in many articles; possible new search term? PsycINFO leadership styles AND managers; limited to peer reviewed, 2014-present 103 Lots of hits! Maybe narrow it down? Emerald Management leadership styles AND managers AND women; limited to peer reviewed, 2014-present 306 Wow, a lot also including cultural & international issues as well as gender. New direction for my search?

Organization Cont. Citation Management Software: Zotero Demo: Citation management software will not only allow you to track all of your resources in one place, it will also provide a way of adding your reference list and in-text citations to your literature review. Most citation management software will allow you to add notes, create your own system for filing and organizing documents, and attach full text articles to citations for easy access. Citation management software comparison Zotero Demo: What is Zotero? Getting started with Zotero Citation management recorded webinars

Contact the library: Questions Email the Library: library@mail.waldenu.edu Reach out to the Library: https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/ask Doctoral Appointments: https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/appointments