In a literature review, literature refers to the body of research, including scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations, conference proceedings, data, statistics) relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory.
Searching the literature requires several steps, including deciding:
Be aware that searching the literature is not a linear process - it's iterative. In other words, you'll likely search multiple times over time, modifying your strategies as you go.
NOTE: The search tips in this guide are geared towards conducting traditional or narrative literature reviews. This guide does not cover the specific methodologies required for conducting a systematic review or a meta-analysis.
