Thelen Memorial Library Find A-Z eResource List Databases Get Help Chat "How Do I..." Library Tutorials LibGuides Library Handbook Services How to Reserve a Study Room My Account/Interlibrary Loan Requests Writing Center About the Writing Center About APA Academic Writer Access APA Academic Writer About Tutor.com About Turnitin Originality About Biography of George and Sue Thelen Vision & Mission Contact Us Directions Collections and Resources Hours Library Log-In Divine Mercy UniversityLibGuidesOther GuidesConducting Literature ReviewsChoosing Databases and Literature Sources Search this GuideSearch Conducting Literature Reviews: Choosing Databases and Literature Sources HomeLiterature Review BasicsTypes of Literature ReviewsSteps to Conducting a Literature ReviewToggle DropdownClarifying the Goal Choosing Databases and Literature Sources Developing Search Strategies Choosing What Literature to Use Applying Screening Techniques Doing the Review Documenting and Writing Up the Review ResourcesQuiz Choosing Databases and Literature Sources Having clarified the goal of your literature review will help you determine where to look for your sources. Types of literature you may want to include are research databases (e.g., PsycARTICLES), Gray literature and databases containing it (e.g., PsycEXTRA), books and book chapters, and reference lists of pertinent topics. It is good to include at least two types of sources, such as PsycARTICLES and books. This would help to ensure that your literature review is complete. Factors Playing a Role in What You Choose Factors playing a role in what you choose include: Availability and Accessibility Relevance of the Literature Volume of Currently Existing Research Your Own Resources Your Goals, Audience, and Format Some sources are freely available, while others are only available with a subscription. The library subscribes to many subscriptions but differences in accessibility and availability exist. If a topic is not very common, it could be more difficult to find available research on the subject. Not everything that you see in a search result will be relevant to your search. In some databases or catalogs, you can sort for relevance. Again, it may be more difficult to find relevant research if your topic is new and if little prior research exists on the subject. Depending on what your topic is, the volume of currently existing research may vary. Your literature review would be dependent on the amount of time and other resources you have available (e.g., your library’s databases). Your literature review would be impacted about the goals and format of your project. For example, if you are conducting a literature review for a background section, less research would be needed than if you were writing a solo literature review. And if you are writing for an academic community more research would be needed than one for a general audience. << Previous: Clarifying the GoalNext: Developing Search Strategies >>
Having clarified the goal of your literature review will help you determine where to look for your sources. Types of literature you may want to include are research databases (e.g., PsycARTICLES), Gray literature and databases containing it (e.g., PsycEXTRA), books and book chapters, and reference lists of pertinent topics. It is good to include at least two types of sources, such as PsycARTICLES and books. This would help to ensure that your literature review is complete.
Factors playing a role in what you choose include:
Some sources are freely available, while others are only available with a subscription. The library subscribes to many subscriptions but differences in accessibility and availability exist. If a topic is not very common, it could be more difficult to find available research on the subject.
Not everything that you see in a search result will be relevant to your search. In some databases or catalogs, you can sort for relevance. Again, it may be more difficult to find relevant research if your topic is new and if little prior research exists on the subject.
Depending on what your topic is, the volume of currently existing research may vary.
Your literature review would be dependent on the amount of time and other resources you have available (e.g., your library’s databases).
Your literature review would be impacted about the goals and format of your project. For example, if you are conducting a literature review for a background section, less research would be needed than if you were writing a solo literature review. And if you are writing for an academic community more research would be needed than one for a general audience.
