Finding literature is a vital but often complex part of conducting research. There are various stages to a literature review: preparing or planning; building a search strategy; carrying out a search; working with your results, including evaluating, organising and referencing); writing up. This section contains guidance on preparing your search.
Your Academic Liaison Librarian can provide specialist help and support, including finding quality resources and information for your research, help with search strategies and literature searching. Contact your academic liaison librarian through the Course Resource page, select the nearest match for your area of research
Before you start searching, it can save you time and help you carry out more effective searching if you plan your search first. This brief video, Planning a search provides further details and includes: defining a topic; selecting keywords; Inclusion criteria; where to search and useful links.
Where to search
- LibrarySearch is the Oxford Brookes Library Catalogue and provides access to books, journals, articles and more. Change the setting to Libraries Worldwide to search for resources beyond Brookes
- Databases are key sources for more in-depth research. They provide access to journal articles, thesis information, multimedia materials, newspapers, conference proceedings and more. The Course resource webpages provide details of and access to the relevant databases in your research area. Alternatively select the Databases option above the search box on the Library homepage
- Web of Science: a multidisciplinary database which includes key research journals and conference proceedings in the Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences. It also provides citation data for many disciplines
- Jisc Library Hub Discover: in a single search you can discover the holdings of the UK’s National Libraries (including the British Library), many university libraries, and specialist research libraries
- Theses - the Library's webpage on Theses provides information on finding theses written by other people both within and outside Oxford Brookes
- News, TV and Radio - Box of Broadcasts (BOB) service gives you access to thousands of recorded radio and TV programmes including films from an online archive. It also allows users to record programmes. You can also search for playlists and create your own. The Library's News Sources webpages provides details and access to a range of resources for current and historical news.
- Google Scholar provides access to scholarly content for many subject areas
- Statistical information - links to general, multi-topic and single topic sources
- Keeping up to date - these library webpages provide tips on staying V and and include additional information sources.
- The Library's Course resource webpages provide further information about resources in specific areas