Lecture Conducting and reading research in health and human performance (4/e): Chapter 3 - Ted A. Baumgartner, Larry D. Hensley

Chapter 3 - Searching the literature. The main contents of the chapter consist of the following: Reading the literature, knowledge of the literature, importance of literature review, purposes of the review, suggestions for reviewing the literature,...

Chapter 3 Searching the Literature

Reading the Literature

You will need to understand what has already been written about a topic before you can ask a new question or develop a new way of

answering an old question

Knowledge of the Literature

“Knowledge of the literature in the field and

critical insight into the research in the student’s major field of interest is considered evidence of

Importance of Literature Review

Once the basic question has been identified, you need to consult the literature to assist in fully

defining the problem

– Conceptual literature

– Related research

Serves as the basis for hypothesis development Synthesis of material provides content for the

review of related literature and background

information

Purposes of the Review

Purposes of the review help the researcher to:

– Gain an understanding of previous research work – Develop a theoretical understanding of the topic – Distill the question into a specific problem

– Develop a research plan (methods)

Research approach and design Procedures and instrumentation

– Identify a question

Suggestions for Reviewing the

Literature

Read textbooks and other secondary sources Look at the most current literature first

Identify the key words

Check appropriate indexes

Read primary sources

Computer retrieval systems

– Sport DISCUS

– Medline

Search the Internet

Research Reading

Working bibliography

Taking notes

– Note cards

– Computerized system (e.g., EndNote)

Evaluating sources

– Review abstract of published article

– Scan article for potential value

Sources of Literature

Indexes

Reviews

Periodicals

– Professional journals

– Magazines

Computer retrieval systems

– Medline

– Sport DISCUS

– ERIC

Internet

Searching the Internet

Subject directories

– Yahoo

– LookSmart

Search engine

– Google

– Lycos

– Northern Light

Metasearch engine

– Copernic

– Metacrawler

Evaluating Web Information

What is the source of the information?

– Check the URL address

Who is the author?

Is the information current?

Are references provided?

Are links to other websites provided?