Week 2: Conducting a Literature Review
Any credible research proposal must include a thorough summary and critical evaluation of previous work relevant to the intended subject. An effective literature review will not only allow the investigator to demonstrate mastery of the subject, but it should also provide the foundation upon which the case for an original study is based.
This week, you will review the key elements of a literature review, and you will investigate the tools and processes required to create one. Although you will not conduct and write a full literature review, you will become familiar with the tasks and methods needed to locate and analyze current research.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Demonstrate how to complete a computer search for relevant literature
- Identify sources of funding for research
- Evaluate different types of literature resources
- Identify key terms and concepts relating to literature reviews
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Jacobsen, K.H. (2017). Introduction to health research methods. (2nd ed.). Burlington: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
- Chapter 3, “Reviewing the Literature,” pp. 13–20
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html
https://grants.nih.gov/Grants/funding/funding_program.htm#RSeries
https://www.rwjf.org/en/how-we-work/grants-and-grant-programs.html
- Chapter 3, “Reviewing the Literature,” pp. 13–20
Grants.gov. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html
National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Types of grant programs. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from http://grants.nih.gov/Grants/funding/funding_program.htm#RSeries
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (n.d.). Grants and grant programs. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from http://www.rwjf.org/en/grants/what-we-fund.html
Walden University. (n.d.). Keyword searching: Finding articles on your topic. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/keyword
Walden University. (n.d.). Keyword searching: Finding articles on your topic: Boolean. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/keyword/boolean
Walden University. (n.d.). Searching and finding information in the library databases: Overview. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/searchingfinding
Walden University Library. (n.d.) Evaluating resources. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/evaluating
Walden University Library. (n.d.). Library webinar archives: Webinars on library skills. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/webinararchives/libraryskillswebinars
Walden University Library. (n.d.). Search the databases: Home. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/subjectresources
Optional Resources
Google Scholar. (n.d.). Search tips. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from http://scholar.google.com/intl/en/scholar/help.html
Discussion: Literature Review Article Search
Finding literature related to your research topic can be challenging. Earlier researchers were required to manually search for hours through journals in multiple libraries to find appropriate resources. Today, electronic libraries such as Walden University’s can provide access to scholarly documents within minutes.
In this Discussion, you will search for literature on your research topic using the Walden Library. The keywords, Boolean operators, and databases that you choose make a difference in the literature that you find, so use a variety and be creative with your searches. You will also locate potential funding sources for your research project.
To prepare for this Discussion:
- Analyze the feedback that you received on your study questions and research topic both from the Instructor and from your colleagues
- Finalize your research topic
- Review this week’s Learning Resources on using the Walden Library and searching within the library
- Review the Learning Resources on locating sources of funding and grants
- Locate two articles in the Walden Library that relate to your research topic
By Day 4
Post a comprehensive response pertaining to your selected research topic including the following:
- Identify the keywords you used to search the literature
- Identify the Boolean operators that assisted you in your search
- Identify the databases you searched for current literature
- Identify professional journals that are likely to provide relevant literature on your research topic
- Search the Internet for at least two organizations that might fund your research
- Describe two articles that you found using the Walden Library and explain why they are useful to your research topic
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings. Walden Discussion: Literature Review Article Search