Researching and Writing Literature Reviews

Beginning the literature review

• Review all available dissertations and theses in your area of research
  
  
  • Use Dissertation and Theses - Full Text and Current Research @ University of Arizona (see section on Tools for more about these databases) to locate dissertations and theses written for degree credit at the University of Arizona and at other universities in the United States, Canada and Europe in your field.
    
    Dissertations and theses written for degree credit at the University of Arizona are available in the UA Main Library and can be located by searching the UA library catalog (more on this in the Tools section). Dissertations and theses written for degree credit at other universities are usually available through Interlibrary Loan.
    
    
  • Perform a critical analysis of the materials you find (click here for the section on critical analysis of materials).
    
    
  • Check the bibliographies of each dissertation or thesis for additional resources.
    
    
    
• Search other university library catalogs for materials in your area; proceed as above.
  
  In addition to the UA's library catalog, there are several other library catalogs that you could use to locate resources. See the section on Tools for more catalogs.
  
  
  
• Thoroughly search any and all databases for journal articles; proceed as above
  
  Here's where your librarian will be a real gift. Contact your subject specialist as soon as possible to discuss the databases that will be most useful to you in your research, and for suggestions for additional resources to consult. A list of subject specialists is available in the section of this guide on Additional Assistance.
  
  
  
• Compile your findings into a comprehensive list - i.e., write an annotated bibliography that incorporates your findings
  
  
  
• Write the review!
  
  Don't forget to discuss your work with your advisor before you start writing!