Thesis Research Roadmap

Preliminary Research	I need ideas for my thesis topic OR I need to narrow a broad thesis topic.
		Literature Type		Database(s)		Locate/Evaluate		Topic
		4Book subject overviews		How Do I Find Books?		4Browse books to get ideas of narrower topics (review table of contents and index, read specific chapters or entries)		Identify a suitable topic of interest
		4Specialized handbooks and encyclopedias		How Do I Find Handbooks and Encyclopedias?
		4Specialized discipline journals (e.g. neuropsychology)		How Do I Find Journals?		4Scan table of contents of recent issues; read abstracts or articles of interest to get ideas
				Find Resources by Subject/Track
		4Most current journal articles in PsycINFO (2010)		More about PsycINFO
		4Annual Review of Clinical Psychology (2009)		FIPP call number RC 467.A55 2009
				Forest theses
				Add n:thesis to your WORD search in Forest Library Catalog
		4Theses (from Forest) and dissertations (from Forest and other schools)		Other theses 4Do subject search in PsycINFO; limit search results to Document Type: Dissertation 4Do subject search in ProQuest; click on results tab for Dissertations		4Browse Forest theses in the Library 4Scan abstracts in PsycINFO 4Scan full text of document in ProQuest (2000-2006 only)
Preliminary Research	I have a thesis topic but need more background information.
		Literature Type		Database(s)		Locate/Evaluate		Topic
		4Books (besides subject overviews)		How Do I Find Books?		4Start research log 4Start reference list 4Make notes		Focus or re-define topic as needed
						4Review references of relevant items 4Request materials Forest doesn't own
		4Specialized handbooks and encyclopedias		How Do I Find Handbooks and Encyclopedias?
Preliminary Research	I need to start my scan of the psychology journal literature.
		Literature Type		Database(s)		Locate/Evaluate		Topic
		Journal articles 4Identify literature review articles		Seach PsycINFO first		4Update research log 4Add citations to reference list 4Save search histories to database folder 4Save articles to database folder or download to PC, other media or reference manager software		Further define or narrow topic as needed
				How Do I Find a Literature Review?
						4Make notes
		Journal articles 4Identify key authors during literature scan		Perform author searches in library catalog or databases to see what else the authors have written		4Review references of relevant items 4Request materials Forest doesn't own
				E-Journal Portal
		Journal articles 4Identify specialized journal titles during literature scan		Is the niche journal available full text? 4Review journal table of contents 4Search niche journal content Visit journal's website if not available full text at Forest.
						4How do your findings affect your topic or research question?		If possible, finalize topic.
						4Have you identified new terminology?
						Conduct additional database search(es) if necessary.
Exhaustive Research	I need to complete my scan of the journal literature in psychology and related disciplines.
		Literature Type		Database(s)		Locate/Evaluate		Topic
		Start with the most current research, then work backwards		Forest Library Identify relevant library databases in psychology and all related disciplines (include general ones)		Continue activities mentioned under initial scan above.
		Look for theoretical articles		How Do I Choose a Database? http://www.forest.edu/lib-choose.aspx
		Look for empirical research articles		Databases by Subject http://www.forest.edu/lib-db-subj.aspx
		Look for landmark and classic studies		Other Springfield Area Libraries		Ask Nan or Renee for advice prior to searching databases at other libraries.
				Forest does not subscribe to databases in all subject areas.
		Continue to look for important authors, researchers or theorists		Other SWAN libraries may subscribe to databases that relate to your topic (see Choose a Database tab).
Exhaustive Research	Do I need to search for grey literature?
		Literature Type		Database(s)		Locate/Evaluate		Topic
		Search for unpublished studies or grey literature if appropriate (conference papers, dissertations, government & technical reports, preprints)		How Do I Find Grey Literature?		Continue activities mentioned under initial scan above.
Exhaustive Research	Do I need to search for cited references?
		Literature Type		Database(s)		Locate/Evaluate		Topic
		Identify citing articles for key older articles		How Do I Find Cited References?		Continue activities mentioned under initial scan above.
				Google Scholar
				Watch for "Cited By …"
Exhaustive Research	Do I need to search other web resources?
		Literature Type		Database(s)		Locate/Evaluate		Topic
		Scholarly search engine		Google Scholar		4Use evaluation criteria for content and source 4Add citations to reference list if relevant
		Identify other scholarly subject-specific web resources, such as		Find Resources by Subject/Track		To identify relevant organizations 4Scan domains in Google search results
		4Specialized databases		Psychology Metasites (under Psychology General)		4Find mentions in articles
						4Look at Resources or Links pages of relevant organizations
		4 Key author websites		Google
		4Organizational websites (research institutes, not-for-profits, government agencies)
		OPTIONAL: Search journal publisher content		Journal Publisher Websites of Interest		4When relevant citation is found, check journal title in E-Journal Portal for full text availability
						4Request articles through ILL if needed
Exhaustive Research	Do I need to search for test materials?
		Literature Type		Database(s)		Locate/Evaluate		Topic
		Identify tests or measures if needed		How Do I Find Tests?		Locating Tests
		Keep expanding your source net wider until you have enough citations or the same citations keep appearing or you cannot identify any new relevant literature. Keep your research up-to-date throughout the thesis process.
		ONGOING: New books and journal articles on your topic		Set-up regular search and/or journal alerts in library catalogs, full text library databases and on journal publisher websites		Tweak alerts/feeds as necessary. Incorporate new citations into reference list if relevant
				Using Your Account in Millenium (Library Catalog)
				Creating EBSCO Search and Journal alerts
				Your Gale Account
				OVID Personal Accounts
				Sage My Tools
				Wiley Cochrane Library (Saved Searches and Alerts)
				ProQuest MyResearch Summary
		Adapted in part from chapter 3 "Selecting a topic and identifying literature for review" Galvan, J. L. (2006). Writing literature reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrczak.