Literature Review Action Plan For My Research Question

Literature Review Action Planmy Research Question Iswhat Research You

My research question is: What research you have done already? (What has been your search process so far?) Where are you in the process? Review each section below and check all statements that apply to you. The majority of my sources are scholarly research articles. I have performed advanced searches in scholarly research databases in my discipline (This is not the same as simple searching in Summon or Google Scholar.) I plan to gather three times as many sources as I use in my paper or dissertation. If this is my dissertation I have already gathered hundreds of resources.

If this is a regular course paper I have already gathered dozens of resources. I have a system for organizing the many sources I will gather. My research interest is currently a narrow question, not just a broad topic. How confident are you going in? I am familiar with the differences between course assignment research and the more deliberate methodology of reviewing the literature.

I am confident in my plan to document my systematic search strategy. I understand where to find literature in both my specialization and discipline. I can see how conversations have developed in the different articles I have gathered. I can name three key journals that publish in my research area. I am comfortable contacting Capella Librarians if I run into literature search hurdles.

I am a Doctoral Level learner. Doctoral-level & Dissertation These questions are intended for doctoral-level learners, especially those working on their dissertation. I already have a theoretical framework. I know how to find examples of quantitative and/or qualitative research studies. I can see where my research fits in to the scholarly conversation, to drive the research forward.

I know the historical roots of how the field developed surrounding my research question. I can search to identify the names of the tests and measurement instruments appropriate for my study. Reset this form Submit Where to Begin Resources About the Literature Review Gathering Articles Executing a Search Strategy Cited Literature Staying Organized Convert Your Topic into a Research Question Background Research - Discover Context Hand search individual journals How to Search Within a Specific Journal Calling a Capella Librarian Library Calendar Ask a Librarian Doctoral-level & Dissertation Cited Literature Tests and Method Searching Executing a Search Strategy Background Research - Discover Context Finding Tests and Measures Get a PDF of your results Download PDF Transcript Was this media helpful?

Paper For Above instruction

The process of conducting a comprehensive literature review is essential for establishing a strong foundation for any research project, particularly in doctoral studies. Beginning with an organized search strategy allows researchers to identify existing scholarly work, recognize gaps, and position their study within the broader academic conversation. In this context, questions such as “What research have I already conducted?” and “Where am I currently in my review process?” guide the progression of the literature review.

Researchers must first assess the quantity and quality of sources they've accumulated. A critical component involves prioritizing scholarly research articles obtained through advanced search techniques within discipline-specific databases. Unlike simple keyword searches, advanced searches involve the use of Boolean operators, filters, and subject-specific keywords, enhancing the precision and relevance of the retrieved literature. For instance, in health sciences, databases like PubMed or CINAHL facilitate such targeted searches, enabling researchers to gather robust collections of peer-reviewed articles.

It is also prudent for researchers to plan to gather substantially more sources than necessary for their final paper—often three times as many—thus ensuring a comprehensive understanding and multiple perspectives. Dissertations tend to involve extensive resource compilation, sometimes numbering hundreds of relevant sources, while course papers typically require dozens, emphasizing the importance of systematic organization. Employing bibliographic management tools such as EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley can streamline this process by facilitating source categorization, keyword tagging, and citation management.

Confidence in the research process correlates closely with familiarity with literature development and the scholarly conversation. Successful researchers understand the distinctions between casual searches and systematic reviews, which involve transparent, reproducible strategies. Documenting search strategies—including database choices, search terms, and inclusion/exclusion criteria—ensures replicability and helps in tracking the evolution of the review. Familiarity with key journals within the discipline further enhances efficiency, as researchers can target high-impact sources that frequently publish relevant studies.

Institutions such as Capella University provide librarian support to assist students in overcoming search barriers. Librarians are equipped to guide usage of specialized databases, refine search strategies, and locate specific tests or measurement tools pertinent to the research—particularly relevant for doctoral learners who often work with quantitative or qualitative data. Understanding the historical development of the field surrounding the research topic enables the researcher to contextualize findings within scholarly debates, theories, and prevailing methodologies.

For doctoral students, especially those preparing dissertations, grounding research within a theoretical framework and understanding historical roots enhances the depth of their literature review. This involves identifying seminal works, foundational theories, and measurement instruments used historically in the field. This background knowledge supports the justification for study design choices and theoretical perspectives.

In the process of gathering and organizing literature, researchers can utilize various resources: (1) hand-searching specific journals known for publishing relevant studies; (2) searching within specific journals to locate the most recent articles; and (3) consulting librarians to leverage specialized expertise. Maintaining an organized system for managing sources—through digital folders, reference software, or annotations—ensures efficiency and thoroughness in integrating literature into the review.

In summary, a deliberate and systematic approach to literature review enhances the quality and credibility of scholarly work. By carefully selecting sources, tracking search strategies, and situating the research within the historical and theoretical framework of the field, researchers lay a solid foundation for their study’s successful execution.

References

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