Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to discuss searching archival databases both for a literature review and searching through secondary data sources or archival data sources. Moreover, while some readers may turn to a Google search, the idea of a systematic, well-structured search is valuable, and this chapter outlines some of the benefits. The use of academic databases may seem quaint or antiquated. However, such academic research databases provide many powerful features to support both fast and thorough searches. The author also addresses notetaking because the reading you do can be limited if you are not taking effective notes that you can use in your writing and in the analysis of whether you have more literature you still must find. The value of notes and how to use them to develop your literature review is also addressed. This chapter discusses some of the challenges of searches and different methods and outlines an array of tips and strategies to both do fast, quick, and dirty searches and more comprehensive and in-depth searches.
TopIntroduction
Many people are used to searching for information on the Internet using common search engines such as Google. Consequently, many people believe that an academic search is merely an extension of what they do in their everyday lives. However, the truth is vastly different. Many academic research studies will live or die on the foundation built on the search either of the background literature or other archival searches. If you miss something vital when doing a literature review for your doctoral dissertation or thesis, you will probably run into substantial problems and face strong challenges from supervisors or, the worst case, serious challenges from your examiners. The problems will be exacerbated if you have missed key literature that you should have been aware of and drawn on.
Consequently, the use of a more systematic approach and use of academic research databases for search pays big dividends to the scholar or student as they undertake their search. It enables them to create a repeatable or replicable search, which is valuable when working in a postgraduate research environment. It will support you to respond to either reviewers, supervisors, or examiners about how the search was conducted and why.
The chapter first starts with a critique of a general searching and then progresses through to outlining several important tips and considerations when conducting a more systematic search of academic research databases. Next, we talk about the use of search engines, particularly academic research databases, and the strengths and drawbacks of all search engines. Examples will be given of both academic search engines and other archival data sources and how search patterns can be used to effectively and rapidly and cover what you need to know. We turn our attention to notetaking as this enables you to bridge the gap between reading and writing. We introduce, briefly, some ideas to take your notes and begin to write as this can help you to determine gaps where further ligature may be required. While doing this we look at the importance of intellectual honesty, quotations, and paraphrasing.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Wild Card: A symbol in a search that takes the place of one or more characters, enabling you to search for a range of related search terms quickly and easily.
Purpose Statement: A statement of the purpose of the piece of writing. This can help you to connect your reading and writing to ensure they match your purpose.
Quick and Dirty Search: A rapid search that involves seeking articles with key words in the title and abstract. It likely generates a shorter list of articles, most of which will be relevant. It runs the risk of excluding important articles or those from other research streams (where, for instance, they may use different terminology for the same topic).
Skeleton Document: A basic collection of core ideas and questions about the writing that the document should answer. This gives you the starting point to bring together a collection of primary notes. A skeleton document should address your purpose statement.
Hypothesis: A key idea that will be stated that the research will prove. It may start at the point of the literature, which provides some evidence for the relationship that your research will add more evidence to.
Primary Notes: A means of capturing the core ideas about what you read. They create a key piece of information and a bridge between your reading and the writing you do.
Academic Research Database: A curated and organized collection of scholarly works. They often enable structured searches and may enable you to select only articles that have been peer reviewed.