So you want to do some research...
Conducting research is one of the best ways to bolster your academic career. It not only serves to help you in your studies during medical school, but can also help in internships and clerkships. Being proactive with your research skills now will help you later in your career. This guide will serve to give a brief overview of how to get started on your research as well as give you some tools to simplify the process.
A literature review is an evaluative report of information found in the literature related to your selected area of study. The review should describe, summarize, evaluate and clarify this literature. It should give a theoretical base for the research and help you (the author) determine the nature of your research. Works that are irrelevant should be discarded and those that are peripheral should be looked at critically.
A literature review is more than just a search for information. All the works should be read, evaluated, and analyzed. The relationships between the literature must also be identified and articulated in relation to your field of research.
A literature review should provide the context for the research. It shows previous research, highlights potential flaws in previous research, and outlines the gaps in previous research.
First, you need to determine the topic or subject of your research. Start brainstorming ideas and include any related terms.
Focus in on a central research question. Be sure it is manageable: to narrow won't give you enough information, but too broad will have too many resources to get through.
Check out these links for help with creating a research question: