How To Do Literature Search And Review Effectively?

What will you learn?

1. The techniques for evaluating information sources
2. Methods for drafting a comprehensive literature review
3. The most effective online search tools and techniques
4. Top formal and informal channels to obtain information

Course Description

Your research is part of a wider scientific landscape, where new relevant papers are regularly published in your field. You cannot rule out the possibility that your research topic has already been addressed in a recently published paper. In fact, one of the most frequent reasons for rejection by journals is that the study is a duplication of work that’s already been published. This makes it critical to keep up with published works in your field and use a structured search strategy to ensure you don’t overlook similar publications.

This detailed program explains the step-by-step process of conducting a literature search and drafting a comprehensive review. The course includes quick and useful tips that will explain how to look through citations, formulate top keywords, use reference managers, identify relevant journals, and follow alerts. It also lists the many sources for relevant information and describes online tools and techniques to refine your search. With this course, you will be able to provide the necessary context for your work, highlight its relevance and pave the path for a successful research study.

What topics will you cover?

1. Introduction
2. Objectives of this program
3. Evaluate information sources
4. Examine bibliographic citations
5. Assess the source content
6. Comprehensive literature review
7. Draft a comprehensive literature review
8. Internet search tools
9. Key online search techniques
10. Evaluate internet sources
11. Other sources of information
12. Summary
13. Check your understanding

Course Narrator:

Phillip Schrank, Academic Trainer

Phillip Schrank is the Assistant Professor of International Relations at Chosun University in Gwangju. He has published and presented on topics ranging from democratization to alliance theory. He is the recipient of numerous awards and grants, including research grants from Chosun University and a research grant from the US Department of State. Prior to his professorship at Chosun University, Phillip was a senior lecturer at the Korea Military Academy. Phillip has a BA in History and Broad Field Social Sciences, an MA in English Education, and is writing his dissertation for a PhD in International Relations. Phillip has conducted over 70 hours of workshops helping scholars publish in high level international journals.