Home Applied Social Studies and Social Work Dissertations and research Doing a literature search

Doing a literature search

What is a literature search?

Pen and paper

A Literature Search involves searching for materials on a topic and analysing what can be learned through considering these collectively.

How do I do a literature search?

You will need to compile a long list of relevant references for your topic. You may need to obtain material from other libraries (via document supply or in person) to ensure you've read as widely as possible on your topic.

Tips for a successful literature search

  • Be organised from the very beginning. Keep a research notebook and write down what you do.
  • Keep full references of everything you read! See the section on Referencing and plagiarism for more advice.
  • Think critically about the material that you find. If you're not finding the right kind of material - or are finding too much or too little - go back a few steps and see whether you need to revise your topic / methodology.
  • Talk to your Academic Liaison Librarian. They can help you to identify sources of information to assist you in your search.

What is methodology?

Methodology is the way you carry out your literature review. The order and structure to how your research has been undertaken is very important. This will include:

1. Where you searched

Specify where you searched for the materials you included in your literature review. Resources you might search are:

2. How you searched

Specify the keywords (search terms) you used when searching for materials.

Use your keywords consistently when searching all resources. Don't rely on just one or two keywords. Try and think of all the different words that someone might use to describe your chosen topic. 

3. Article inclusion criteria

Specify the criteria you used to select the materials you've included. The inclusion criteria will be specific to your topic.

The following table highlights some common inclusion criteria and how they could be applied to a dissertation / research project.

Inclusion criteria Examples of application
Relevant to the topic Materials must be directly related to the topic
Peer-reviewed Journal articles must be peer-reviewed
Age of material Materials must be less than 10 years old
Geography Articles must be based on work that was undertaken in the UK
Design of studies Qualitative and quantitative studies can be included


4. Ethical issues

Address any ethical issues as you research. Some areas likely to be relevant to a literature review are:

  • How the information was obtained - information must be obtained lawfully
  • Accurate reporting of information - all information must be reported accurately
  • Confidentiality - it may be necessary to protect the identity of people / organisations that you discuss.

Your Faculty will have a list of ethical considerations related to dissertation writing. Make sure that you read these and address all issues in your methodology.

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