This document discusses the process of conducting a literature search. It explains that literature searches are done using keywords related to the topic. Searches are started in repositories of journals, research organizations, and universities working in relevant fields. Both digital and print indexing services provide abstracts and publication details to aid searches. Previously, abstract cards were prepared by hand from abstracting services in libraries to summarize relevant literature. The document also demonstrates how to identify major and sub keywords from a topic to effectively search literature from different aspects related to the topic.

1. Literature Search
• After selecting a topic, literature search is the next most important step
• It is carried out through key words
– Key words are major constituents of the topic
• Search is started from repository of various journals (research papers,
review papers), research organizations (Surveys, reports etc.) and
universities (theses/dissertations) working in the fields relevant to your
topic.
• There are indexing services both available in hard and soft form
• indexing services provide abstracts of research published in journals along
with publication detail on yearly/half yearly/quarterly basis

2. Bibliography/Abstract Card
• Prior to availability of web services, literature search was the most difficult
task.
• For this purpose Abstract cards were prepared. These cards had specific
weight and size.
• One has to go to library and search for relevant abstracts from abstracting
services, like Agris, Agricola, cabi etc.
• Every abstract card was hand written and contained information's
including topic of research paper, Name of Autor (s), year of publication,
Journal information like volume number, pages number and Abstract

3. Key words from topic
• Consider a topic
– Development and cyto-molecular characterization of onion hybrids
– In tis topic ONION YBRID, DEVELOPMENT, and CHARACTERIZATION are major
key words
– And Cyto-molecular are two sub key words attached with CHARACTERIZATION
– So the topic sows tat author intend to develop ONION HYBRID and these
hybrids will be characterized on cytological and molecular basis
• Topic has 3 major aspects
– Breeding: may be use of male sterility for hybrid development
– Cytology: may be location of genes on chromosomes
– molecular study: may be focusing on presence/ absence of sterility in parents
• So tree different searches will be done
• The search may start with following key words
– Breeding: Onion, hybrid, identification of sterility
– Cytology: Onion, Trait(s) of interest, location of genes on chromosome
– molecular study: onion, markers linked to sterlity.

4. EXERCISE
• Please make key words of your topic
• Search various sources
• Identify at least
– one research paper,
– one review paper,
– one research report
• relevant to your topic