Overview of litterateur search

A literature search is a process of systematically reviewing and evaluating published works such as books, journal articles, conference proceedings, and other sources of information relevant to a particular research question or topic. It is a critical step in the research process as it helps researchers to identify and access relevant sources of information, evaluate the quality and validity of existing research, and identify gaps in the literature that can inform future research.

Here are the steps involved in conducting a literature search:

1. Define the research question or topic: The first step in conducting a literature search is to clearly define the research question or topic. This will help to focus the search and ensure that relevant sources of information are identified.
2. Identify relevant databases and search engines: Researchers should identify the relevant databases and search engines that will provide access to the most relevant sources of information. Examples of databases include PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science.
3. Develop search terms and strategies: Researchers should develop a list of keywords, phrases, and search strategies that will be used to search the databases and search engines. This will help to identify relevant sources of information and exclude irrelevant ones.
4. Conduct the search: Researchers should conduct the search using the identified search terms and strategies. They should also use filters to narrow the search to specific types of sources, such as peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, or specific date ranges.
5. Evaluate the sources: Researchers should evaluate the sources that are identified through the search to determine their relevance, quality, and validity. They should also document the sources that they identify for future reference.
6. Organize the sources: Researchers should organize the sources that they identify into a systematic review, which involves categorizing and summarizing the findings of the relevant studies in a structured and organized manner.

By following these steps, researchers can conduct a comprehensive literature search that will provide access to relevant sources of information, help to evaluate the quality and validity of existing research, and identify gaps in the literature that can inform future research.