How to conduct a literature search

Abstract

Why do you need to search the literature?                            You have already read from previous article in this series that research is an attempt to generate new knowledge. Therefore, the initial step of your research process is to determine whether the research question you have identified has already been answered by somebody else. Don't despair if this turn out to be the case! It is perfectly all right to replicate research conducted elsewhere to show that the same applies in this country - this will strengthen the validity of the original finding. Often, you can learn from the methods of previous investigators or even improve upon them. Your literature review may help you to refine your research question or lead to a change in the focus of your research. (copied from article)