Describe the procedures that go into carrying out a computer-based literature search.
Describe the steps involved in conducting computer-based literature search.
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Describe the procedures that go into carrying out a computer-based literature search.
Steps in Conducting Computer-Based Literature Search
Define the Research Question: Clearly define the research question or topic of interest. This will help in formulating search queries and identifying relevant keywords.
Identify Relevant Databases: Determine which databases are most relevant to your research topic. Common databases for academic research include PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.
Develop Search Strategy: Develop a search strategy using relevant keywords, Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), and truncation or wildcard symbols (*) to broaden or narrow your search.
Execute the Search: Enter your search query into the selected databases and execute the search. Review the search results to identify relevant articles, books, or other sources.
Refine Search Queries: Refine your search queries based on the initial search results. Consider adding or removing keywords, using different Boolean operators, or modifying truncation symbols to improve search precision.
Review Search Results: Review the search results to identify relevant sources. Pay attention to the title, abstract, and keywords of each result to determine its relevance to your research question.
Access Full Text: Access the full text of relevant sources either through the database or through the library's subscriptions. If full text is not available, consider using interlibrary loan services.
Evaluate Sources: Evaluate the quality and relevance of each source. Consider factors such as author credibility, publication date, methodology, and relevance to your research question.
Organize and Manage Sources: Organize and manage your sources using citation management tools such as EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero. These tools can help you keep track of your sources and generate citations.
Synthesize Information: Synthesize the information from your sources to develop a coherent and well-supported argument or analysis for your research paper or project.
Cite Sources: Properly cite all sources used in your research paper or project using the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
Review and Revise: Review and revise your search strategy and search results as needed. Consider seeking feedback from peers or mentors to ensure the quality and relevance of your research.
Conclusion:
Conducting a computer-based literature search is a systematic process that involves defining the research question, identifying relevant databases, developing a search strategy, executing the search, reviewing and evaluating search results, accessing full text, organizing and managing sources, synthesizing information, citing sources, and reviewing and revising the search strategy. Following these steps can help researchers effectively find and utilize relevant literature for their research projects.