Using the internet to find resources should be done with a critical eye. Think about the following when searching for information online:
Currency - how old is the information/article or site? When was it last updated?
Authority - who is the author/site creator? Is this the author's area of expertise?
Relevance - is it what I need? Is it accurate? Is it at the right level?
Purpose - what is the purpose of the information/article? Why was the page/information created? Do they want money? What is their point of view?
(Based on CSU Chico)
Remember All Resources Should Be Evaluated.
You may also find this page very useful, PROMT (Open University)
You will need to read and review what other people have written about your subject area for several reasons:
(1) You need to set the work you have done into context.
(2) You need to show why you are doing this particular piece of research.project.
(3) It can also be helpful compare your work to prior research.
A literature search needs to be systematic and focussed.
Steps towards your literature review:
Identify your keywords
Identify which databases to search
Assess the relevance of the results
Source the most relevant articles/books
Critical Reading and Evaluation
In the academic world, literature means information that has been written on a particular subject. Literature can be for example, books, journal articles, conference papers, newspapers, government reports, webpages, and theses.
Journal articles are usually academic and peer-reviewed.
Newspapers can condence information, and usuallly ask the questions, who, what, when, where, why, and how? Be careful of sensational stories.
Government information, can be statistics, rules and regulations, standards, information from specific government departments, eg. Department for Education, NHS etc.
Use Library Search and Databases to find academic resources.
Google Scholar is another access point to academic articles and book titles.