Where to Find Sources for Dissertation Literature Review

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Where to Find Sources for Dissertation Literature Review

Finding the right sources for your dissertation literature review is essential to ensure that your research is grounded in solid academic foundations. Below are several places to find the sources you need for your review:

1. University Library Database

  • Access to Journals and Books: University libraries often provide access to comprehensive databases that include scholarly journals, e-books, and conference papers. These databases are a reliable and authoritative source for your literature review.

  • Popular Databases: Some of the best academic databases include:

    • JSTOR: A leading resource for humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

    • PubMed: Excellent for health-related topics and biomedical sciences.

    • ProQuest: A large database offering dissertations, journals, and other academic articles.

    • ScienceDirect: Focused on scientific, technical, and medical research.

    • Google Scholar: A free, broad-reaching search engine for scholarly articles, theses, and patents.

2. Google Scholar

  • Free and Accessible: Google Scholar allows you to access a wide range of scholarly articles, theses, books, and patents. Many of the articles are available as free PDFs directly from the publisher or academic repositories.

  • Citation Tracking: Google Scholar is also useful for finding how often an article has been cited, which can help you identify influential papers in your research area.

3. ResearchGate and Academia.edu

  • Academic Networking Sites: These platforms allow scholars to share research papers, articles, and academic content. On ResearchGate, many authors upload full-text copies of their articles, which are often accessible for free.

  • Connecting with Authors: If you find a paper you’d like to access but it’s behind a paywall, you can often request a copy directly from the author through these platforms.

4. Online Repositories and Open-Access Journals

  • Open-Access Resources: Many universities and academic institutions offer free access to dissertations, theses, and research papers through digital repositories. Examples include:

    • arXiv: For research in physics, mathematics, and computer science.

    • Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ): A comprehensive database of peer-reviewed open-access journals across various disciplines.

    • SSRN: Social Science Research Network for working papers in economics, law, and business.

5. Specialized Subject Databases

  • Discipline-Specific Databases: Many academic disciplines have specialized databases that provide access to journals, books, and other sources. For example:

    • ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) for education-related research.

    • PsycINFO for psychology and behavioral science research.

    • IEEE Xplore for engineering, technology, and computer science research.

6. Citations and References in Articles

  • Follow Citations: One of the most effective ways to find sources is to examine the reference lists of key articles and books. Look for sources that are frequently cited or appear in multiple research papers in your field. These references often lead to important foundational works in your area.

7. Library Interlibrary Loan Services

  • Access to Unavailable Books or Articles: If a book or journal article is not available through your university’s library, use the interlibrary loan service. This service allows you to borrow materials from other academic libraries.

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