Conducting A Literature Review
Literature Searches and Resources
Conducting a successful literature search requires developing a search strategy, deciding on the relevant topic, and defining the research topic and scope. Finding information can be challenging, but valuable literature review resources are available for each faculty member.
Search and collect the most relevant peer-reviewed sources using the library web page or services page to find information resources such as books, journals, and databases.
System and Tools
Databases
System and Tools
- Search across several databases.
- Or browse through the alphabetical list of databases or individual database search, i.e. Scopus (Elsevier).
- Find databases through Faculty LibGuides.
- Find databases through the Research LibGuides.
- Use the LibKey Nomad browser extension to connect to our library's content from the open web.
Research Methods Database
- The Sage Research Methods database is designed to support researchers in various disciplines by providing access to a wide range of resources related to research methods. It includes books, reference works, journal articles, instructional videos, research design, data collection and analysis, writing research papers, and more. Researchers use SAGE Research Methods to enhance their understanding of different research methodologies and to improve their research skills and outcomes.
Training Material
- Video on how to search for library resources on WorldCat Discovery.
- Sage Research Methods Guide
- Video on SAGE Research Methods
Books
System and Tools
- Search WorldCat Discovery for books.
- Search for eBooks on our eBooks webpage.
- The Faculty LibGuides contain literature resources for each faculty.
- Use the LibKey Nomad browser extension to connect to our library's content from the open web.
Training Material
Journal Articles
System and Tools
- Use keywords to find articles on your research topic.
- Search by article title.
- Search by DOI or PMID.
- Google Scholar
- Use the LibKey Nomad browser extension to connect to our library's content from the open web.
Training Material
Journals
System and Tools
- Find journals through Faculty LibGuides.
- Search for a specific journal title using the journal-title.
- Search for accredited journals for your articles.
- BrowZine Journals, listed by subject.
- Use the LibKey Nomad browser extension to connect to our library's content from the open web.
Training Material
Newspapers and Magazines
System and Tools
Training Material
Theses and Dissertations
System and Tools
- Researchers can search Boloka for NWU Thesis/Dissertations, research output, and other resources.
- International ETD's through
- ProQuest: Dissertations & Theses Global
- Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD)
- DADAD-R: Database of African Theses and Dissertations including Research
- DART - Europe
- Ethos (UK)
Search Existing Research Data
Research data repositories allow postgraduate students and researchers to search existing research data without creating or collecting data from scratch.
These repositories serve as centralized platforms where researchers can store, share, and access datasets related to various fields of study.
Systems and Tools
These repositories provide valuable resources for researchers to discover and reuse existing datasets, facilitating transparency, reproducibility, and collaboration across various disciplines. Examples of research data repositories include:
- NWU Research Data Repository (DaYta Ya Rona / Figshare)
- South African Research Data Repository
- International Research Data Repository
- Registry of Research Data Repositories
- Mendeley Data
Other research data repositories include:
- Dryad - Hosts data underlying scientific and medical publications.
- Zenodo
- The Dataverse Project - Open source research data repository software.
- PANGAEA - With georeferenced data from earth system research.
- NCBI GenBank - NIH genetic sequence database with nucleotide sequences and their protein translations.
- ICPSR - Repository for social science data, including datasets from surveys, experiments, and administrative records.
- Protein Data Bank - Repository for the three-dimensional structures of proteins and nucleic acids.
Interlibrary Loans
A service that can be used to obtain books and articles unavailable at your home library from national and international libraries.
Systems and Tools
Training Material
- Find more information on how to submit an Interlibrary Loans Request.
- Alternatively, use the Interlibrary Loans quick guide.