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Searching the literature. A beginners' guide

I Wilson1

  • 1Research and Health Promotion Unit, South Australia.

Australian Family Physician
|June 5, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Conducting a formal literature search is crucial for research development. This guide helps beginners avoid common pitfalls in scientific literature review and database searching.

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Area of Science:

  • Research Methodology
  • Scientific Inquiry

Background:

  • Developing a research question requires understanding existing knowledge.
  • Informal literature review is insufficient for comprehensive research planning.
  • Electronic databases have simplified, yet complicated, the literature search process.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To guide novice researchers in conducting effective literature searches.
  • To highlight common errors and challenges in scientific literature review.
  • To provide strategies for avoiding pitfalls in the research process.

Main Methods:

  • Formal literature search strategies.
  • Utilizing electronic databases for published research.
  • Identifying and avoiding common beginner mistakes in literature review.

Main Results:

  • A structured approach to literature searching is essential.
  • Understanding previous research prevents redundant efforts.
  • Electronic databases require specific search techniques to be effective.

Conclusions:

  • Formal literature searches are indispensable for robust research.
  • Awareness of common errors can significantly improve research efficiency.
  • Effective literature review forms the foundation of successful research proposals.

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