System Integration

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What is a Literature Search?

A literature search is a search of the literature that is relevant to my dissertation.

 

According to the Open University (O.U.) a literature search has two main purposes: -

 

1. To help the researcher learn more about the topic area.

 

2. To assemble a wider picture of your topic, ‘to make proper acknowledgement of the work of previous authors and to delineate [your] own contributions (Sharp et al., 2002, p.82).

 

By carrying out a literature search you ensure that you are aware of the current thinking in the field of your dissertation, you know who is an authority in the field and who isn’t.  It adds to your general knowledge of the subject area, it also ensures that you do not repeat any studies that have already been completed - that would be a waste of time.

 

The O.U. also warns you to keep notes of your sources for later referencing.  By later referencing the O.U. has two objectives, so that you can later find the material and so any relevant papers can be accredited within the dissertation (if they are used).