This document outlines a workshop for compiling literature reviews in the life sciences. It discusses the purpose of literature reviews and identifying relevant sources. The workshop covers searching databases, following citations, documenting research, and staying current. Attendees are introduced to literature review goals and examples, key databases, citation tracking tools, citation managers, and asking subject librarians for assistance. The goal is to equip attendees with strategies for conducting a thorough literature review.

1. Compiling
Literature Reviews
in the Life Sciences
Amanda Werhane
Steenbock Library
steenbock.library.wisc.edu

2. Agenda
1. Introductions
2. About Literature Reviews
3. Literature Sources
4. Tools & Strategies
5. For More Information

3. Introductions
• Name?
• Department?
• Why are you here today?
• Previous library workshops?

4. Companion Workshops
• Writing Literature Reviews (Writing Center)
• “Everything You Need to Know” (Libraries)
• “Keeping Up With the Literature” (Libraries)
• “Publishing Your Research” (Libraries)
• Workshops on specific databases (Libraries)
• Workshops on citation managers (Libraries)

5. Definitions
• “A literature review is a written document that
presents a logically argued case founded on a
comprehensive understanding of the current state of
knowledge about a topic of study. This case
establishes a convincing thesis to answer the study’s
question.”
- Literature review: Six steps to success (Machi,McEvoy)
• Introduces theories
• Shares results of related studies & identifies gaps
• Locates your research & results within dialogue
- Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method
approaches (Creswell)

6. Know your Goal
• What is expected of me?
• Does my research make a unique contribution?
• Is it feasible?
• Do I understand the context?
• What are the key methodologies, issues, or
controversies?
• Do I need to modify my topic?
• Time management:
– Dissertation & assignment calculators

7. Seek out Examples
• Primary research articles
• Review articles, meta-analyses
• Theses & dissertations
– Databases
• Ask yourself:
– How long?
– How many sources?
– Placement?

8. Identify Sources
• Books
– Start with: Encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks
• Journal articles
– Start with: Review articles, meta-analyses
• Conference proceedings
– Start with: Big international conferences
• Other
– Gov’t documents, technical reports, white papers…
• How to find = Databases (see handout)

9. Searching Databases
• AND, OR, NOT
• “Phrases in quotes”
• Truncation, wildcard symbols * ?
• Limits:
– Article Title
– Journal / Source / Publication Title
– Subject / Descriptor / Classification
– Many more...
• Obtaining full text of articles: “Find It”

10. Follow Citations
• Backwards + forwards
• Web of Knowledge / Web of Science
– “References”
– “Times Cited”
– “Cited Reference Search”
• Journal Citation Reports (JCR)
– “Impact Factor”

11. Document your Research
• Read, take notes, & map sources
– Concept map tools (see Wikipedia)
• Compile & map search terms:
– Synonyms, broader, narrower, and related terms
– Thesauri, taxonomies, ontologies (ex: MeSH, LCSH)
– Scientific terms (ex: Latin names, chemical names)
– Historical terms
– International terms / alternate spellings
• Manage citations, documents & notes
– http://library.wisc.edu/citation-managers

12. Stay Current
• Email alerts & RSS feeds:
– Journal issue tables of contents
– Keywords
– Citations

13. Ask a Librarian
• Your Liaison Librarian
- http://library.wisc.edu/directory/liaisons
• Drop in (desk or office)
• Chat
• Phone
• E-mail
• Appointments

14. Good Luck!
• Thank you for coming 
• Evaluation (Grad Student Collaborative)
– http://grad.wisc.edu/gsc/evals