Welcome
Research Management
- EndNote Web Use EndNote Web to capture citations from any ISI database, organize your research and format papers and references.
Interlibrary Services
If the material you need is not available at Kennedy Library, use Interlibrary Services (ILS) to request it from another library. Submit your request and we'll do the rest.
- Your ILS Account Use your account to place requests for articles and other materials.
- More Information About ILS Learn more about ILS services at Kennedy Library
Find Journals
Use one of the links below to search for journals by title at Kennedy Library.
Google Scholar
(search results open in a new window)
Literature Reviews
What is a Literature Review?
A literature review is a written account providing an overview of all the important literature related to a particular topic. It is an essential part of any research publication, dissertation or thesis. It also can be a stand-alone document.
The literature review is designed to do several things:
- Discover what is known (or not known) about a topic or research question.
- Determine the current status of the research on a topic or research question.
- Situate your topic or research question into the context of related research and information.
- Provide an understanding of the methodologies used in researching related questions.
- Identify areas for further study.
Steps in the Literature Review Process
The literature review involves a systematic process.
The steps in this process include:
- Defining the topic or problem.
- Searching the literature.
- Reading and evaluating the information you find.
- Analyzing, comparing, relating, critiquing and synthesizing the information.
- Correctly citing the information included in the literature review.
Searching for Articles
Use one of the article databases listed below to search for articles on your topic.
- AGRICOLA
The most comprehensive database of journal articles, conference proceedings, technical reports and other documents in the field of agriculture (1970-present). - Biosis Previews Search for articles in all disciplines of the life sciences.
- CAB Direct CAB Direct searches for the most relevant, up-to-date articles and reliable information in agriculture, environmental science and the applied life sciences.
- Food Science and Technology Abstracts Search for articles and more in the food sciences and related technologies.
- Web of Science (AKA: Science Citation Index)
A multidisciplinary database to search for articles from more than 8,500 of the most prestigious, high impact research journals in the world. Web of Science also provides a unique search method, cited reference searching. With it, users can navigate forward, backward, and through the literature, searching all disciplines and time spans to uncover all the information relevant to their research. - All Databases by Subject
Search for Books
- PolyCat Use PolyCat to search for books and other materials in Kennedy Library
- Link+ Use Link+ to search other academic and public libraries when the material you need is not available at Kennedy Library. Materials can be requested directly through the Link+ system.
- WorldCat Use WorldCat to search libraries across the country and around the world for materials not available in PolyCat or Link+. Use Interlibrary Services to request materials.
Subject Guide |
Katherine O'ClairOffice: Kennedy Library 312
Phone: 805-756-2690
Email: koclair@calpoly.edu
Send Email
Subjects:
Agriculture, Food Science, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Recreation
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