The Literature Review: Demystifying the Literature Search

This article provided an overview of the strategies, tools, and techniques for searching the literature. Also discussed was how to retrieve, manage, and report relevant information that has been found. There are many books and computer tutorials about each of these topics available in libraries and bookstores. It may be worth-while to investigate the availability of courses in your workplace and community for fine-tuning your search skills. A hands-on opportunity to search relevant databases under the guidance of a librarian or experienced researcher would be worth the investment. One key message is to be organized when approaching the literature. Careful planning and organization can help ensure that your research trip is a productive one.