Doing Your Literature Search in the Library

Doing Your Literature Search in the Library

DOING YOUR LITERATURE SEARCH IN THE LIBRARY

This guide is intended to help you find information for your essay. I hope it will reduce the time taken to identify and obtain the information you need, which will then give you longer to evaluate the material and to write and revise the essay itself.

Looking for information, literature searching, as it is usually called - consists of a few simple steps.

1) DEFINE AND CLARIFY YOUR SUBJECT

Ask yourself some questions about the subject you have chosen:

  • Why is it an important topic?
  • What are the main issues?
  • How can it be made interesting to the reader?
  • From what perspective do you intend to approach the subject?
  • What evidence do you need to substantiate your arguments?

You will need to choose your topic carefully. Too broad a subject will be difficult to manage as you become overwhelmed with information. Too narrow a subject may mean that you cannot find enough information and it will be down to you to do a lot of original research. Remember anything you write must be backed up by sound argument and evidence and it is far easier to do this if you remain focused in your research topic. So it is important at an early stage to identify keywords that best define your subject.

2) IDENTIFY YOUR SEARCH TERMS

Finding the right words to use while looking in an index or catalogue is really important especially when using electronic databases. Think very hard about the questions that you want to answer, write down the key terms and concepts. Make connections between them.As you do more research new terms and concepts will emerge. Write these down too, you will then build a valuable tool that will help you focus on your research area.

Some students find mind mapping a useful process to help define the limits of a topic. For some useful websites visit the keyskills links at

3) CONSIDER CRITERIA FOR RELEVANCE

It is often quite simple to find material vaguely connected with your project. It is not so easy trying to assess what is truly relevant to your needs. Remember to remain focused on your key words and ask yourself, "Why is this useful?" "What does it add to my argument?"

Currency

  • How far back do you need to look in books and periodicals?
  • Do you need very up-to-date information?
  • Do you need to refer directly to primary source material?

Foreign Languages

Beware of references to articles which have an English title but which are written in another language. It is extremely difficult to obtain a translation. The language of the article will be indicated clearly.

4) RECORD YOUR REFERENCES

It is vital to record your references as you search through the literature. Always write down references fully and accurately, so that:

  • You can use them for inter library loans.
  • You only need to write the details down once you don't waste time having to hunt for a particular book or article months later for which you do not have the full details.
  • You have a ready-made bibliography or list of references to put at the end of the essay. With this in mind it is worth writing down the references according to the style your tutors have recommended. There are several books in the Library that you can use for guidance.

There are also useful sites on the Web. Take a look at the following sites by clicking on the addresses below:

5) LOOK FOR BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY

Check the catalogue to see what we have. You can reserve items if they are out on loan.

Use Subject Guides and the Subject search facility on the catalogue to find the class numbers for the subject terms you are interested in. Write them down, so that you don't forget them!

6) USE BIBLIOGRAPHIES

Use bibliographies to find out what other books have been published on your topic. We have a good range of bibliographies both subject specific and more general, some are in printed format some are electronic.

7) LOOK FOR JOURNAL ARTICLES

Use online databases to find relevant articles. Ask your Subject Librarians for help if you have not used these before or checkout the subject guides under Learning Support from the Library homepage. They are not too difficult once you get used to them. Journal titles are listed in the catalogue and there are some full text journals available on the Library website at the following link

8) CHECKLIST FOR SEARCHING ELECTRONIC DATABASES.

  • Determine your search strategy. Think about the information that you want to find and check its relevance to your subject.
  • Divide the research problem into facets.
  • Decide on the best sources to use e.g. indexes, full text, websites, catalogues
  • When using databases decide on the type of search to perform e.g. free text, subject search etc. Use the HELP screens provided on all databases
  • Decide on how best to combine your keywords using Boolean operators. Again check the HELP screens on the database that you are using
  • Decide on a starting point. Most specific first or least specific first?
  • Refine the search in the light of initial results. Think laterally and use your subject knowledge.
  • Be sure that you have exhausted one source of information before moving onto the next.

9) DOCUMENT DELIVERY SERVICE

If you cannot easily obtain a book or journal you can complete a document delivery form - accurately! -and hand it in at the Document Delivery Office. We will try to obtain the item you need from another Library. This will probably take one to two weeks, but it can be longer during busier periods like October and November.

Each request will cost you £5, so prioritise your requests carefully.

10) USE OTHER LIBRARIES

StaffordshireUniversity’s library will not always have all the information you need, so before you use the Document Delivery service check out otherlibrary catalogues from our web pages. From here you can access the British Library Catalogue or COPAC which combines the holdings of 26 major research libraries including the British library.

Remember that KeeleUniversity is only a few miles away. If you are a part time student or distance learner there are schemes such as UK Libraries Plus that you may find helpful.

You might decide that a visit to a specialist library is necessary. Again, your Subject Librarian can offer advice on this.

You may only be able to use other libraries for reference purposes and you may require a letter of introduction from the Library before visiting other Libraries.

11) CONTACT ORGANIZATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS

Are there any relevant professional bodies who might be able to help you with information?

Are there any people whose work or expertise or first-hand knowledge might be useful to you?

You will probably get a lot more help from people you write to if you have made it clear you have already done a thorough search. So write when you have:

  • Searched through the literature.
  • Spoken to your Supervisor
  • Made sure you know exactly what you want to find out.

Your chances of a helpful response will be improved if you:

  • Keep your letter short and to the point.
  • Give enough detail to make clear what information you need.
  • Explain that you are a student: this will help the organisation pitch the information they send at the right level for you.
  • Type the letter: this will look better than a written request.

If you go to interview anyone, make sure you have specific questions prepared, so that you can make best use of their time and get as much information as you can from them.

12) USE THE INTERNET

There is a lot of valuable information out there, but put your critical evaluation skills into gear because there is also a lot of rubbish! Use a search engine like Google or for quality assured resources visit the webpages under subject support for some recommendations.

AND FINALLY

  • Do give yourself enough time. The earlier you begin your Literature search the better. If the material is not in the library we will have enough time to get it for you. If you need to visit another institution you will have more flexibility in your arrangements
  • Do take the trouble to work out a strategy for your literature search.
  • Don't wander round collecting material in a haphazard way.
  • Do work through things systematically.
  • Do write down the references you find at each stage.
  • Do come and discuss your literature search with your Subject Librarian at any stage. We can show you how to use abstracts and indexes, and help you to work out a strategy which will save you time and effort.

CHECKLIST FOR EDITING YOUR ESSAY

Below is a brief list that you may find helpful to use when reading through the final version of your essay.

  • Have you explained the objectives of your research?
  • Does the end product fulfill the original terms of reference? Have you done what you undertook to do in the research? If not, have you explained the reasons for the changes?
  • Do the statements made in one place tally with the statements made in another?
  • Do the interpretations given fit the facts quoted?
  • Do the conclusions follow from the data?
  • Have you given readers enough information to follow and check your reasoning?
  • Is the sequence of information presented logically?
  • Are the terms consistently used and clearly defined?
  • Is the method of presentation appropriate?
  • Is there enough signposting and guidance for readers?
  • Have you provided summaries at the appropriate points?
  • Are recurring points consistently treated?
  • Has everything been put as briefly as is consistent with clarity?
  • Is the sentence logical?
  • Do the chapters in the contents list tally with the titles as given at the head of the chapters?
  • Is the heading system consistently applied?
  • Is the numbering scheme consistent?
  • Do all the bibliographical references in the text link up with the reference list?

From: ORNA, E and STEVENS, G Managing Information for Research. Open University Press 1995
Available from the Library at class number 001.4

You will find many more books to help you. Below is just a sample:

BERRY Ralph (2000) The research project: how to write it 4th ed.London : Routledge 2000

Class No. 808.02

CRYER Pat (2000) The research student's guide to success Buckingham 2nd ed. Open University Press

Class No. 378.170281

DAVIS Gordon B and PARKER Clyde A(1997) Writing the doctoral dissertation: a systematic approach 2nd ed. New York: Barron's Educational

Class No. 808.02

FITZPATRICK Jacqueline et al.(1998) Secrets for a successful dissertationThousand Oaks:Sage Publications

Class No. 808.02

GLATTHORN Allan A (1998) Writing the winning dissertation: a step-by-step guide Thousand Oaks, CA., Corwin Press

Class No. 808.02

GREETHAM, Bryan (2001) How to write better essaysBasingstoke: Palgrave

Class No. 808.4

SWETNAM Derek (2000) Writing your dissertation: how to plan, prepare and present successful work 3rd ed. Oxford : How To Books

Class No. 808.02

PRIEST Susanna Hornig (1996) Doing media research: an introductionThousand Oaks: Sage

Class No. 302.23072

Last Updated September 2005 Debbie Roberts

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