Research Databases in Literature Review
Conducting a comprehensive literature review necessitates the use of reputable research databases to identify high-quality, peer-reviewed sources.
Key Research Databases for Literature Reviews
1.1. Google Scholar
Pros: Offers broad, interdisciplinary coverage and a user-friendly interface.
Cons: Search results may include non-peer-reviewed sources; filtering capabilities are less refined than specialized databases.
Best for: Preliminary searches and citation tracking ("cited by" features).
1.2. JSTOR
Pros: Provides access to high-quality, full-text academic journal articles and books, with strong collections in the humanities.
Cons: Often has a "moving wall" or embargo period, meaning the most recent issues (last 1-5 years) may not be available.
Best for: Literature, history, philosophy, and social sciences.
1.3. PubMed
Pros: A comprehensive database for biomedical and health-related fields, maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Cons: Highly specialized and generally not suitable for research in the humanities.
Best for: Health sciences, medicine, and psychology.
1.4. Scopus
Pros: A large, multidisciplinary database with sophisticated citation analysis tools.
Cons: Requires an institutional subscription for full access; the interface can be complex.
Best for: Sciences, social sciences, and engineering.
1.5. Web of Science (Clarivate)
Pros: Features comprehensive indexing of high-impact journals and powerful citation tracking capabilities.
Cons: Access is typically restricted to institutional subscribers.
Best for: Identifying foundational and influential research across all major disciplines.
1.6. ERIC (Education Resources Information Center)
Pros: The primary database for scholarly literature in the field of education.
Cons: Its scope is limited exclusively to educational topics.
Best for: Research on educational theory, policy, and practice.
1.7. PsycINFO (American Psychological Association)
Pros: The authoritative resource for peer-reviewed literature in psychology and behavioral sciences.
Cons: Requires a subscription for access.
Best for: Psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral sciences.
1.8. Project MUSE
Pros: Contains a curated collection of scholarly journals and books from non-profit university presses and societies.
Cons: Content is heavily focused on the humanities and social sciences, lacking broader scientific coverage.
Best for: Literature, cultural studies, and history.
1.9. ProQuest
Pros: Offers extensive access to dissertations, theses, and a wide array of peer-reviewed journals.
Cons: The interface can vary, and some content may be behind a paywall depending on the institutional subscription.
Best for: Interdisciplinary research and accessing grey literature (e.g., dissertations).
1.10. EBSCOhost
Pros: A platform that hosts numerous subject-specific databases (e.g., MLA International Bibliography, Academic Search Premier).
Cons: Access is dependent on an institutional login; navigating to the correct sub-database can be required.
Best for: General and subject-specific academic research.
Strategies for Using Research Databases
Utilize Boolean Operators: Refine search queries by combining keywords with operators such as
AND
,OR
, andNOT
to narrow or broaden results.Apply Filters: Use built-in filters to sort results by publication date, document type (e.g., article, review), and subject area.
Employ Citation Tracking: Leverage features in databases like Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science to find articles that cite a key paper (forward tracking) or that are cited by it (backward tracking).
Manage Citations: Export citation data to reference management software such as EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley to maintain organization.
Verify Full-Text Access: Check for full-text availability through your institution’s subscriptions, interlibrary loan services, or open-access repositories.
Using Web-Based Sources in a Literature Review
Web sources include websites, online reports, blogs, news articles, organizational web pages, and government portals. This category is distinct from peer-reviewed journal articles accessed electronically, which are considered scholarly sources.
Appropriate Use of Web Sources
To obtain recent information not yet published in scholarly literature (e.g., current statistics, policy updates).
To cite official reports or data from reputable organizations (e.g., World Health Organization, United Nations, government departments).
To provide background context on emerging topics where peer-reviewed literature is still scarce.
Criteria for Evaluating Web Sources
Authority: Assess the credentials and reputation of the author or organization.
Accuracy: Verify that the information is supported by evidence, data, or references.
Currency: Check the publication or last updated date to ensure the information is current.
Purpose: Determine if the source is objective or if it exhibits bias (e.g., commercial, political).
Domain: Prioritize sources from government (
.gov
), educational (.edu
), or established organizational (.org
) domains.
Guidelines for Citing Web Sources
Provide a complete citation, including the URL and the date the content was accessed.
Prioritize primary web sources (original reports or data) over secondary summaries.
Use web sources judiciously, primarily to supplement and support the peer-reviewed literature.
Examples of Reputable Web Sources
Government agencies (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH))
International bodies (e.g., World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO)
Official websites of research institutes and academic institutions
Websites of professional organizations (e.g., American Medical Association)
Methodological Approach to Searching the Web
Define the Research Question: Begin with a clearly articulated research question. Identify specific keywords, phrases, and relevant synonyms to guide the search.
Prioritize Academic Search Engines and Databases: Start with scholarly databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, or JSTOR. These platforms are indexed with high-quality, peer-reviewed sources.
Incorporate Reliable Web Sources Strategically: When expanding the search, target credible websites such as those from governments (
.gov
), educational institutions (.edu
), and major international organizations (.org
).Apply Advanced Search Techniques: Refine search results by using quotation marks for exact phrases (e.g.,
"climate change impact"
), Boolean operators (AND
,OR
,NOT
), and site-specific searches (e.g.,site:.gov "renewable energy"
).Evaluate Source Credibility: Critically assess each source by examining author credentials, checking for citations that support its claims, and confirming the publication date for relevance.
Organize and Document Findings: Maintain a systematic record of sources, including URLs, authors, and publication dates. Use reference management tools to organize citations.
Synthesize Information: Compare findings across all sources to identify consensus, discrepancies, and major themes. Note any gaps in the existing literature that may warrant further research.