Conducting a literature review is an important part of any research project, as it can show you what others in your field have discovered about a given topic. Not only does this information help you to better understand your topic, but it can also narrow your focus so as not to duplicate research that has already been published.
In order to conduct a thorough literature review, it's important to look at a variety of resources, rather than focusing on just one or two. These can often include books and encyclopedias, scholarly articles and sometimes Internet resources (ALWAYS check with your professor before using these, though).
This guide will provide you with tips for effectively locating these types of information through the Library website, and provide you with some specific resources to consult.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you have, or to set up a time to meet one-on-one for help with your research.
In the case of your literature reviews, it might be difficult to find resources that directly ("Education inequality in Paterson", "Gender Inequality in Palisades Park, NJ", "Healthare inequality in NJ towns", etc.).
Instead, you will find that you need to step back a bit and look at your topic from a broader perspective.
For instance, what do you think causes education inequality in Paterson or gender inequality in Palisades Park? In the first case, is the reason economic? Racial? Class-related? And for the second, in which context does gender inequality occur? In the home? Workplace? Schools?
Focusing too much on the specific details of your question could be a frustrating experience. Instead, supplement your own observations of these areas with research about the larger issues at hand.
