True Confession: I kind of like the idea of a lit. review

The phrase "literature review" is one that may get a lot of yawns, drooping eyelids, and tilting heads. As nerdy and shameful as it is to proclaim this to the entire cyber-universe, my response is actually one that is quite different. Call me crazy, but my nosey and curious nature LOVES to find out as much knowledge as possible. So, though I've never really conducted a search for a lit. review before, I'm kind of a bit excited to begin (until I hit the wall of frustration or monotony...whichever comes first). I plan for my extensive lit. review to look something like this:

Step One. Pull out the trusty ol' laptop, go to library.vcu.edu, and start typing in those keywords and search terms into that blank slot. Press enter and watch the results start piling up. Change the search topics with as many synonyms are other related words and combinations of words as possible. Write down as many periodicals, books, and other materials that appear to have ANYTHING to do with the topic at hand, including library call numbers.

Step Two. After the seat belt is fastened, start the car and take off for Cabell Library. Begin the scavenger hunt, finding the previously searched for materials. Gather them together and hunker down at a table with a warm cup o' joe (it could be a long night).

Step Three. Start the "rummaging" process with secondary sources. These sources are helpful in offering a focus to the topic and further references. Begin a list of all primary sources the secondary sources are providing that could be of further benefit to the literature review. With laptop at hand, search for the references. If they are available at the library, leave the cup o' joe behind and go on a mission to get these sources!

Step Four. At this point, the glasses are out (tired eyes can be a poor combination with a tired body and/or body). Let the search continue! Go to the indexes in the books. If there are sub-topics that are more relevant to the research topic, start with those. Extend search to other pages of books and articles, as needed. Highlighting tape and a photocopier are helpful in this process. Gather as much info as possible.

Step Five. CITE ALL SOURCES IN A WORD DOCUMENT USING APA FORMAT!

Step Six. (Can be done in the comfort of home or in the library) Go to my.vcu.edu webpage. After logging in, click on the library tab, the "VCU Libraries My Search Tools" link. Since this is the first time I have ever used this lovely little future (I mean, seriously, VCU people. After investing thousands of dollars, what more does a girl need to do to learn about these sort of tricks of the trade), I would begin adding databases to my database clipboard. After clicking on my fair share of "+" signs, the search can commence!

Step Seven. Much like the library search, use as many synonyms and related terminology to pull up as much info concerning the topic as possible. Make a mental note that the most credible research will be in a peer-reviewed journal, so focus in on these periodicals more than others. I will have hit the jackpot if articles come up with a full text option. If an article does not have a full text option, I will hopefully get an ounce of inspiration to take an additional trip back to the library to go on a wild goose chase once again.

Step Eight. After browsing the found articles (being careful not to spend any time on the introduction and conclusion with a more intense look at results and methods), use highlighters to emphasize the important and relevant information.

Step Nine. CITE ALL SOURCES IN A WORD DOCUMENT USING APA FORMAT

Step Ten. Now that sources have been gathered and information has been found, summarize each source using note cards or half sheets of paper, include the in-text APA citation format with each summary. Once summaries have been completed, arrange them in a logical flow and progression. I plan to be very critical and only use research that is applicable to the research question and its development. If there are gaps that seem to be missing the flow of the lit. review, go back to Step Two or Step Six and search for the missing pieces, using adequate search terminology. Examine these new pieces of the literature review puzzle and write their summaries. Work them into literature review flow.

Step Eleven. Write the review!

Step Twelve. Celebrate the amazing accomplishment of writing a lit. review!