Today’s objectives
1. Become more aware of how to build a search strategy
2. Learn about different types of literature for your research
3. Learn how to search the Library catalogue4. Learn more about the online resources
available to you
What is a search strategy?
Your search strategy is your plan of action
• It helps you find the information you need to complete your work.
• It makes you think about your work.• It helps you work out what information you need, and
how you're going to find it.
What do I do first?
• Look at your research project title and make sure you understand it.
• Use a dictionary or thesaurus to find related words
If you are not in the Library you can use an online reference service:
Oxford Reference Online
Mind mapping and keywords
Research questionBreak down into concepts
Related topicsDefinitions and context
Keywords and synonyms
Narrower concepts and specialist areas
Specific theories and authors
What type of information do you need?
• a definition so you understand your main concept?
• an overview on the topic so you can identify key issues?
• statistical data to back up your arguments?• a review of recent debates?• the latest research?
Reviewing the literature
What is a literature review?• “The literature” means the works
you consult in order to understand and investigate your research problem.
What literature should you review? 1.
Books:Pros Cons
Good starting point Less up-to-date
Accepted knowledge
Provide references for further reading
What literature should you review? 2.
Journal articles
Pros Cons
Up-to-date May not always be peer-reviewed
For an academic audience
Millions of titles!
Peer-reviewed or refereed
What literature should you review? 3.
Trade Journals / Magazines
Pros Cons
Up-to-date Not peer-reviewed
Company or product news not available elsewhere
Not for an academic audience
Easy to read May have corporate bias
What literature should you review? 4.
Conference proceedings:Pros Cons
Latest research Can be hard to find in print
Leading practitioners
May be
Un-reviewed
What literature should you review? 5.
Theses and dissertationsPros Cons
Original research Unpublished
Often includes original data
Can be hard to obtain
Varying quality
What literature should you review? 5.
Internet: Pros Cons
Usually up-to-date Unfiltered for quality
Large amounts of information
Often for a general audience
May be biased