When conducting your initial search for a topic in the Library Catalog, start with a broad topic and then focus that search by limiting the results by format (i.e. print book, eBook, or article), year, and even by topic. By starting with a broad topic you will discover all of the available research and then you can begin to focus both your results as well as the topic, letting the results inform your actions. The image below illustrates the limiters available to you in the Library Catalog:
(click on the image to view)
The most difficult aspect of writing a literature review is selecting the topic.
Some rules to follow when selecting a topic for your literature review:
Connecting Your Work to Others: What is the larger context that my work fits in? What has been discussed on my topic and by whom? Why is my work interesting or different? How does my work build upon the existing body of knowledge? By asking these question you will be able connect your work with the research and ideas found in the literature you are reviewing.