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, and NOT 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

1. Define the Research Question: Begin with a clearly articulated research question. Identify specific keywords, phrases, and relevant synonyms to guide the search.

2. 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.

3. 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).

4. 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").

5. 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.

6. Organize and Document Findings: Maintain a systematic record of sources, including URLs, authors, and publication dates. Use reference management tools to organize citations.

7. 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.