Chapter 3 Searching the Literature

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

Knowledge of the Literature “Knowledge of the literature in the field and critical insight into the research in the student’s major field of interest is considered evidence of high scholarship.” (Bookwalter & Bookwalter, 1959)

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

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

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

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

Sources of Literature Indexes Reviews Periodicals –Professional journals –Magazines Computer retrieval systems –Medline –Sport DISCUS –ERIC Internet

Searching the Internet Subject directories –Yahoo –LookSmart Search engine –Google –Lycos –Northern Light Metasearch engine –Copernic –Metacrawler

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?