Thorough literature searches are crucial for identifying potential research topics, formulating research problems, and developing research questions. Following topic selection and question formulation, a comprehensive review of related literature is essential. This process, vital for both novice and experienced researchers, allows researchers to contextualize their work within the existing body of knowledge, determining whether their study builds upon, replicates, or introduces new areas of inquiry.

Choosing a Topic 

Before starting a literature review, selecting a well-defined and specific research topic is essential. Broad topics can obstruct thorough literature searches. Selecting a topic involves analyzing current situations to identify relevant issues or questions, reflecting on personal experiences and professional interests, reviewing existing literature to confirm or discover new problems, exploring less-researched areas through Internet resources, utilizing library resources, and discussing potential topics with peers and professionals.

Selecting Credible Sources 

Critically evaluating sources is essential for research credibility. The vast array of online and library resources requires careful selection. Surveying relevant literature and studies involves identifying and reviewing prior research, noting similarities and differences in objectives, design, methods, and findings. This process uncovers gaps in existing knowledge, highlighting the need for new research and preventing duplication. Strategies for surveying related studies include identifying overview articles, developing a noting system, checking references in relevant books and articles, consulting local and international publications, reviewing abstracts of articles, theses, and dissertations, discarding irrelevant materials, considering both recent and milestone publications, and ceasing the survey when sufficient materials are collected. Credibility assessment involves evaluating several factors (Perfecto et al., 2011): the publisher, author, intended audience, currency of information, source attribution, publication type, review process, and potential bias. The source type also affects credibility, adhering to a hierarchy of sources (Cristobal & Cristobal, 2022).

Selecting Credible Internet Sources 

Evaluating Internet sources requires the same principles of specificity and authority as other sources. Prioritize governmental (.gov) and educational (.edu) sources over commercial (.com) ones; avoid sites with excessive advertising; prefer authored documents with verifiable author credentials; favor sources that are also available in print; select recently updated websites; prioritize sources that cite their claims; and avoid sites known for spreading misinformation.

Designing the Literature Search

Researchers must consider several factors when planning a literature review: the types of resources to be reviewed; the scope of the review; the time allocated; the number of sources to be included; the sources themselves (libraries or websites); and the bibliographic citation format to be used.

Organizing the Content and Structure of the Review 

Researchers need to show they can identify and synthesize relevant information regarding the research questions. The RRLS is not just a summary of literature but an exposition of background knowledge. Literature may be included in various sections (introduction, RRLS), but all sources cited in the Results and Discussion section must be referenced earlier in the manuscript. The research paper should present a thoughtful literature synthesis by effectively managing the collected sources.

Four Types of Reading Necessary for Literature Review (Wilson, 1990)

Wilson's (1990) Four types of reading guide literature review source selection:

1. Elementary Reading. This involves understanding basic words and sentences, which is essential for conducting practical analysis and synthesis.

2. Systematic Skimming. This technique allows for quick relevance evaluation by examining titles, bold terms, and elements such as the table of contents, index, and bibliography.

3. Analytical Reading. This requires thoroughly examining articles and scrutinizing them paragraph by paragraph, sentence by sentence, and even word by word. It includes annotation and questioning to synthesize key concepts.

4. Comparative Reading. This involves evaluating concepts and principles across various sources to develop a generalized summary. It represents the highest reading level, and the methods employed vary based on the material and the approach taken during the review.

Taking Down Notes 

Notetaking is crucial when reviewing literature. While photocopying or scanning sources (when legally permissible) can save time, researchers must adhere to copyright laws and ensure that citation information is included in any copies.

An Overview of Literature Review

In a literature review, a researcher has to do the following:

1. Group research studies and other relevant literature according to a common theme. 

2. Summarize each item of the literature appropriately according to its significance. 

3. Compare and evaluate each item of the literature. 

4. Provide topic sentences at the beginning of paragraphs. 

5. Summarize the paragaph in a sentence at the end of each paragraph to help the reader understand the main issues.