Learning Resources and Strategies

How Literature is Structured

Libraries contain information in bibliographies, guides, indexes, abstracts, databases, almanacs, catalogues, newspapers, dictionaries, directories, encyclopaedias, and journals. Although a relationship between these sources may not be apparent to the untrained eye, these different information sources are published systematically to meet the specific information needs of an academic discipline. Researchers using library materials, can benefit from having an understanding of the inherent structure of published literature. Once they see the order in the wealth of materials on the library’s shelves, retrieving the information successfully from a discipline’s literature becomes a matter of backtracking through its development stages.

The Structure of Literature

When we talk about the structure of literature, we are describing the physical manifestation of the growth of an academic discipline. As the field matures, the amount and type of literature that become available increase. The literature produced can be divided into three distinct developmental levels.

The Search Strategy

The search strategy is a logical process used by a researcher to locate information that will fill an information need. Where the researcher begins, the literature search will depend on the depth of information required and the researcher’s knowledge of the discipline.

Steps in the Independent Study Research Process:

• Understand the assignment
• Begin a research folder
• Select a topic
• Locate sources of information
• Suggest a tentative focus
• Develop tentative thesis if it is required
• Check/consult with your facilitator
• Analyse resources and select appropriate information
• Make notes and record information for works cited list
• Develop a final thesis
• Conference with your facilitator
• Prepare a tentative outline, organize information under main ideas and supporting points
• Conference with your facilitator
• Write a first draft
• Edit the first draft
• Write the final version
• Prepare a presentation
• Evaluate the assignment

Click here to download a handout that explains the steps in the independent study research process.

Click here to view a video that explains how to write a strong thesis statement.