How to find information for your class papers and projects:
The Literature Search
What is a literature search?
A literature search is an organized and detailed search technique that uses library catalogs
and databases to find published material on a specific topic.
What is the difference between a literature search and a basic Internet
(Google) search?
A literature search results in scholarly, reliable information. A Google search often
results in un-reliable information. For your class papers and projects, you need to use
scholarly resources.
Scholarly vs. non-scholarly resources:
Scholarly
Written by a professional in the field.
Peer-reviewed by professionals in the field.
Always cite their sources of information in
the form of footnotes or a bibliography.
Most are published by professional
organizations, associations, or colleges.
Authors are always named and their
institutional affiliation given.
Found through library catalogs, databases,
or scholarly websites.
Non-Scholarly
Not written by a professional in the field.
No one is double checking the author’s
information.
Rarely tell you where they found their
information.
Published for profit, or not published at all
(websites).
Author may be anonymous, or may even lie
about their true identity.
Found in bookstores, convenient stores, or
personal websites.
How to conduct a literature search:
1. Decide a search topic
2. Come up with Keywords to use while searching.
Consider synonyms, related terms, and alternative spellings!
Example - If you paper topic is about Teenage Abortion your keywords
may be: Abortion, Terminate, Teenagers, Teens, High School Students,
Pregnancy, Pregnant, etc.
3. Think about the type of information you want.
Books, journals, electronic journals, or scholarly websites
4. Think about where to look for the information.
LibraryThing – Catalog of physical books in the LRC library
www.librarything.com/catalog/nitcflrc
LIRN – Databases with full-text resources (Infotrac & Proquest)
www.lirn.net/services.shtml
Your password is 45111 first initial of first name and full last name.
Example: 45111JSmith
LRC Website – Online journals and scholarly websites
www.lrc-online.com/lrc
Akron-Summit Public Library – Databases with full-text resources
www.akronpubliclibrary.org/database/index.html
You will need an Akron-Summit library card to use this resource, please see a
librarian to obtain a library card
5. Carry out the search
For help with searching techniques, please see the “Boolean Searching”
research guide located on the book shelf in the center of the library.
6. Review your progress
Are you getting too many or too few results?
Do you need to change your keywords?
Do you need to ask the librarian for guidance?
7. Obtain copies of the information
Keep in mind the 10 page per day copy limit.
Always check print-preview to determine how many pages are
going to print.
If the document exceeds 10 pages you can copy and paste
important sections of the resource into Microsoft Word then print.
8. Write you paper
Remember to reference information correctly!
MLA style guide:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
APA style guide:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
If you have trouble, don’t be afraid to ask the librarian on duty for help!
How to do a literature search. 24 August 2006. Robert Gordon University. 5 January 2009
<http://www.rgu.ac.uk/library/howto/page.cfm?pge=25989>
Scholarly vs. non-scholarly sources. 14 January 2008. St. Charles Community College. 5 January 2009
<http://www.stchas.edu/library/scholar.shtml>