Developing a Literature Review: Search Strategies

Introduction

A literature review is crucial in understanding the research topic by gaining insights into what other researchers have concluded about it. While many literary works on a given research topic may exist, an effective search strategy can be important. Keeping a record of search activity and having a search framework are important, useful lessons that a researcher can consider. The two strategies allow an individual to find the most relevant and useful literary works that are consistent with their topic and intended objectives. However, lack of transparency, selection bias, and limited stakeholder engagement are some of the challenges faced when searching relevant literature for a study. Therefore, an effective literature search strategy can be utilized to counter the challenges faced during the activity.

Useful Lessons

The success of a literature search activity is anchored on the adopted strategy that allows the researchers to find the most relevant and persuasive sources. Keeping a record of the search activity is one of the important lessons discussed by McNally (2022). The record can involve the use of a diary or a paper to take note of any action taken during the literature search activity. By keeping the record, one can have a comprehensive list of all the important phrases used in their studies and how to find them in other studies (Adams, Khan and Raeside, 2014). Additionally, keeping the record allows one to track the number of journals, books, websites, and news articles, among others reviewed. Consequently, a researcher can determine the veracity of the reviewed literature in terms of presented evidence and relevance to their topics.

Another important lesson presented was the importance of having a search framework before delving into the literature review process. The frameworks are mnemonics that help the students focus on their specific study and research questions (McNally, 2022). For example, in the health sciences population, the intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) framework is often used to answer clinical questions (Willis, 2023). Search frameworks such as PICO aid in identifying concepts and terms that will be used in a literature search. Therefore, the researchers get an opportunity to specifically focus on their research topic without deviating from others (O’gorman and Macintosh, 2014). Keeping a record of the search activity and the use of a search framework is significant for finding literature that is relevant to the overarching topic and context.

Challenges

The literature is a tasking process and is often associated with various challenges that require the attention of the researcher. Lack of transparency and replicability in the review techniques is a major problem faced during the activity (Adam and Paynter, 2022). Consequently, it can be difficult to duplicate the reviewed literature. Selection bias, which involves the inclusion of literature that is not representative of the evidence base, is another challenge faced (O’gorman and Macintosh, 2014). There is the possibility of drawing inconsistent and inaccurate conclusions from such literature (Willis, 2023). Furthermore, although studies are conducted to benefit various stakeholders, the lack of their engagement encumbers the effectiveness of the literature search. Without stakeholder engagement, it is difficult for the researcher to look up literature that addresses their needs and offers solutions to identified problems. Therefore, there is a need to maximize the search strategy adopted to overcome challenges faced during the literature identification process.

Conclusions

A literature review is fundamental in understanding background information on the selected topic. A literature search is the process of identifying similar studies or those related to the research topic. During the activity, it is important to keep a record of all the actions taken for ease of document identification. Moreover, having a search strategy helps in focusing on the research questions. Challenges such as lack of transparency in the review techniques, selection bias, and limited stakeholder engagement can be avoided by adopting an effective search strategy.

Reference List

Adam, G.P. and Paynter, R. (2022) ‘Development of literature search strategies for evidence syntheses: pros and cons of incorporating text mining tools and objective approaches’, BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, 28(2), 202.

Adams, J., Khan, H. and Raeside, R. (2014) Research methods for business and social science students. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publishers.

McNally, K. (2022) Literature review: Developing a search strategy. Library resource guides [online]. Web.

O’gorman, K.D. and Macintosh, R. (2014) Research methods for business & management: A guide to writing your dissertation. Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers Limited.

Willis, L.D. (2023) ‘Formulating the research question and framing the hypothesis’, Respiratory Care, [online] 68(6), p.10975.