Digging Deeper: Issue Focus

Synthesize the related prior research discovered by your team after a comprehensive review of the literature. In academic or scholarly work, this usually is a summary of key or seminal works in a focused area. The unique research being done by your team should build on and reference prior work.

Types of Information

Example of an IQP Background Chapter | Published Research Paper | Published Review Article

Cycle of Scientific Literature - Information Creation Types/Timeline

Global | Federal | State | Regional/County | Local

How to Focus Your Research

Framing your question (see Find it Online p. 74-75): take the time to determine exactly what information you need, research approaches will vary depending on the type of information needed.

Who would create the information you need?
Envision what the ideal information would look like or be (a chart, maps of area, an overview, a similar case study)

Casting a wide net with your search terms is not often effective, first determine "what" you need to know and the various perspectives you wish to cover, then do more targeted searching
All information has bias, good researchers detect this
Research databases have differing foci: database searches are a good way to start, but following up on specific journals, researchers' names will often lead you to other sources
If you cannot find information on a perspective, it may exist, but in grey literature, policy papers, news, or technical reports. Consult a librarian for a reality check.

Search library databases then follow up on bibliographies of articles found within the specific area of research.

Key Journals and Cited References

Researchers follow up on key authors and identify seminal works and key journals in a field. Much time and a comprehensive understanding of the field of research is needed in order to produce quality work.

To find major journals in a field, start by checking the Journals List, by choosing Advanced Journals Search from the library web site. Choose the Subjects tab to browse for journals by topic area. This will show only journals that the library subscribes to in print or electronic formats.

Try searching the ISI Web of Knowledge (if off campus connect via proxy) on your research keywords and then analyze the results by journal to obtain a listing of those publishing content about your research area. This search works well for finding authors as well.

ISI Web of Knowledge (choose Web of Science) also provides researchers with a listing of works that cite prior articles. Find a key article? Try the Cited Reference search to find works that subsequently reference that work.

Try Google Scholar on your research keywords, or specific articles/books. Analyze the cited references.

Research Tips

To identify areas to focus on your background could include global or key issues, and data/statistics sources, organizations/associations, and news can help.
New or rapidly developing areas of research may require the use of conference proceedings, dissertations and working papers
Searching electronic books: WPI Library ebooks | A9 | Google Books
Trouble finding information?
- Identify new venues or sources of information in your focus area
- Reconsider terminology
- Think laterally or more broadly

For more information

Literature Review - created by Central Queensland University to help postgraduate students conceptualize, research and write a literature review
Writing in the sciences : exploring conventions of scientific discourse. General Collection T11 P393 2004
Now That You've Found Material for Your IQP, What Do You Do With It?

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Last modified: Sep 10, 2007, 15:49 EDT