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Literature search: Home

Overall guide for literature search

Steps of literature search

This guide is structured according to the steps of literature search. These steps are not independent from each other, and are done concurrently during your search process:

  1. Orientation and topic: increase your basic knowledge of the main topic and concepts.
  2. Publication types and databases: determine the type of publications you are looking for and databases you will use.
  3. Search terms: formulate the search terms.
  4. Search techniques: apply the techniques to combine your search terms.
  5. Search strategies: apply the strategies for effective searching.
  6. Recording search process: record the process to resume and adapt it easily.
  7. Evaluation and selection: determine which publications are relevant.
  8. Referencing: cite the used publications.