Reviewing the Literature

Lab 4

Instructor: Emma Marshall, JD, MA

Today’s Tasks

  • Lab 4:
    • Literature Reviews
    • Bibliographic Research Assignment
    • Research Project Pre-Proposal

The Research Process

Reviewing the Literature

  • Function of literature review is to:
    • 🎉 define relevant constructs
    • 💡 build on prior work
    • 🚧 design program of research
    • 🎤 demonstrate credibility

Internet-ing as an academic

Tip

If you need help or have questions, ask a Librarian!

IYKYK

Tip

I am definitely not telling you to use an alternative open-source site like Sci-hub because I would never tell you to do that because IP & copyright law is super-duper moral and uncomplicated.

Questions?

Practice: Lit Review

  • Step 1: Find a starting point (identify topic/concept of interest)
  • Step 2: Expand the search: Find more recent articles
  • Step 3: Expand the search: Find more older articles
  • Step 4: Defining the “Scope” and “Structure” of your topic
  • Step 5: Search key terms in PsycINFO
  • Step 6: Expand with key author search
  • Step 7: Organize, track & take notes for each article
    • Zotero → APA references

Step 1: Getting started

Hindsight bias is the tendency for individuals to rely on new knowledge when recalling their initial predictions of an event.

Finding a classic reference

Finding a Hot New reference

Practice: Lit Review

  • Step 1: Find a stating point (identify topic/concept of interest)
    • Find a “classic” (older) reference on subject
    • Find a “hot new” reference
  • Step 2: Expand the search: Find more recent articles
  • Step 3: Expand the search: Find more older articles
  • Step 4: Define the “Scope” and “Structure” of your topic
  • Step 5: Search key terms in PsycINFO
  • Step 6: Expand with key author search
  • Step 7: Organize, track & take notes for each article
    • Zotero → APA references

Practice: Lit Review

  • Step 1: Find a stating point (identify topic/concept of interest)
    • Find a “classic” (older) reference on subject
    • Find a “hot new” reference
  • Step 2: Expand the search: Find more recent articles
    • Identify current state of field (within ~5 years)
  • Step 3: Expand the search: Find more older articles
    • Identify articles cited in recent literature (building blocks of field)
  • Step 4: Defining the “Scope” and “Structure” of your topic
  • Step 5: Search key terms in PsycINFO
  • Step 6: Expand with key author search
  • Step 7: Organize, track & take notes for each article
    • Zotero → APA references

Step 4-6: Find & Use Key Terms

How to select good articles

Caution

Summary: Steps of Bibliographic Research

  • Step 1: Find a stating point (identify topic/concept of interest)
    • Find a “classic” (older) reference on subject
    • Find a “hot new” reference
  • Step 2: Expand the search: Find more recent articles
    • Identify current state of field (within ~5 years)
  • Step 3: Expand the search: Find more older articles
    • Identify articles cited in recent literature (building blocks of field)
  • Step 4: Defining the “Scope” and “Structure” of your topic
    • Locate any review articles or encyclopedia entries
  • Step 5: Search key terms in PsycINFO
  • Step 6: Expand with key author search
  • Step 7: Organize, track & take notes for each article (use Zotero for APA references)

Research Project Pre-Proposal

  • Step 0: Select Data Source for project
  • Step 1: Select CORE variable
  • Step 2: Find (3) references related to the CONCEPT measured by core variable
  • Step 3: Select other variables for RHs in project
    • Var 1 (Quant)
    • Var 2 (Quant)
    • Var 3 (Cat)
    • Var 4 (Cat)
    • BONUS: Var 5 (Quant) & Var 6 (Cat)

Questions?

Reminder!!

You will only complete and turn in ONE Project Pre-Proposal worksheet!