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Writing a Literature Review: Record your Search

This guide provides an overview of an engineering literature review and its place in a research project, thesis, or dissertation.

Table of Contents

Recording Your Search

Keep a search log to identify the best keywords, avoid repeating searches, identify the best resources.

  • Name of database/catalogue/resource
  • Date of search
  • Keywords and limits used
  • refinements made
  • Number of results
  • Suggestions for new searches

This step is useful in determining when the search in a specific source is finished and in determining whether all the important literature was identified. At this stage, it is recommended to set up alerts to keep-up with new publications without the need to search again."

Database Alert Services

Save time by creating a personal account for each database you use and set up alerts for your searches. You will get an email each time new publications fit your initial search to help you keep up with what is new in your topic of interest.

Citation Management Tools

Reference management tools help you with collection, organization, note taking, sharing, and writing bibliographies. Examples of frequently used reference management tools below.

Internet Alert Services