Steps in Literature Search
Determine your topic of interest
(focus & narrow down)
Formulating your problem statement &
specific research questions
Concentrate on primary sources –
*Peer reviewed research journals
(caution about using secondary sources - textbooks)
Construct database searching strategies
Searching databases, library catalogs, and scanning article bibliographies
Quick Links For Help
- Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad)Request materials not found in Murphy Library.
Evaluating Journal Articles
Use the following guides to assist you with evaluating journal articles:
Think about:
- Who is the author? What is the author's affiliation (place of employment)?
- Who is the intended audience?
- What type of publication is it in (scholarly journal, newspaper, popular magazine)?
What is the purpose of the article
