The Schwerdtfeger Library created a series of tutorials for AOS students on strategies for compiling a literature review in the atmospheric sciences. Many students will need to write one either as part of their coursework or for future research. Literature reviews examine a research question through “summary, classification, and comparison” of resources in an already existing body of knowledge[1]. They may be a stand-alone exercise or may be used to justify further research for a thesis, dissertation, or grant proposal.
Over the course of seven videos, students will learn search strategies for finding books and scholarly articles along with techniques to conceptually maneuver the research process. Important skills addressed include: refining and examining a research question, scholarly database searching tips, using InterLibrary Loan, finding government documents, and exporting results to citation managers.
The flexibility of this online series allows the viewer to review the content at an individual pace and select topics most relevant to their needs.
The tutorials:
Part One: Introduction
Part Two: Evaluating Sources
Part Three: Search Strategies
Part Four: Finding Books
Part Five: Finding Scholarly Articles
Part Six: Additional Scholarly Sources
Part Seven: Saving Your Research
[1] “Learn how to write a review of literature.” http://www.writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html