A critical literature review within a specific field or interest of research is one of the most essential, but also complex activities in the process of research.  In order to proceed a more productive literature review, it is recommendable for reviewers to design a frame that consists of their research questions or purpose of the review.  Thus, the internalized frame of research questions needs to be kept through the whole process of selecting resources, reading and writing about previous research studies chosen.
    This site will provide useful information and Web links on methodology and tools for critical literature review in academic research.

1. Search for Resources

   1) Online catalog/ Article databases/ Internet search tools:

        A. UIUC Search Databases

• Web interface to the ILLINET online catalog: helps a search for books through the Illinois Library Computer Systems Organization (ILCSO).
• Telnet interface to the ILLINET online catalog: a previous version of online catalog for library books.
• UIUC collection of article databases: includes databases of article in various fields of study.

        B. General Search Databases

• Eric Database search: specifically assists a search for educational resources in journal articles and Eric digests.
• Full-text access to Eric documents: ERIC documents (ED's) starting with ED348467 are available in electronic full-text to UIUC patrons.
• The WWW Virtual Library: provides online resources or databases by a hierarchical listing of subject areas.
• Education Virtual Library: a WWW virtual library in education.  displays online information listed by alphabetic order, education level, resources provided, type of site, and country.
• EDUTECH: provides online resource for education and technologies classfied by theme, type, audience, level, domain keyword.  This site is maintained by TECFA at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.
• qbSearch: combines your favorite search engine to get more online resources.
• Librarian's Index to the Internet: to search resources by subjects, categories, and best search tools.  It also provides an advanced search tool.

    2) Search Tutorials:

• UIUC Instructional Services for Students: various forms of library research & Internet tutorials for students are available, such as workshops, quick tips, one-on-one help, and online tutorials.
• How to find articles: step-by-step instruction in order to search appropriate articles for research.  This explains that you need to start with identifying and choosing important concepts in your topic, subject area, and the appropriate article database or index.
• Web searching: a tutorial on search strategy and syntax (maintained by Power Repoting)
• How to Choose a Search Engine or Directory: by University at Albany Libraries.
• the Internet Public Library's guide of Web Searching: gives a list of the IPL's favorite general Internet search engines and catalogs for searching information on the Web, including tips and examples of using those search engines.
• Search Engines Quick Guide: gives information on the database, operators, and strengths of six major search engines.
• Internet Search Tools Chart: links to Internet subject directories, search engines and meta-search engines.  It also includes information on the database, boolean and other search options of those search tools.

2. Critical Review of Literature

    1) Criteria for Quality Literature Review:

• AERA:The Review of Educational Research: The Review of Educational Research (RER), a forum for reviews of previously published work in a field that is populated by scholars from diverse traditions, defines types of literature review, and its standards and criteria for review articles.
• Conceptual and Analysis Criteria: FINE Link defines conceptual and analysis criteria for research in order to assist educators in identifying quality educational research (both qualitative and quantitative research) articles.
• How to Critically Analyze Information Sources: Cornell University Library explains basic criteria for inital appraisal and content analysis of information sources.

    2) Evaluation of Web Resources:

• Evaluating Internet resources: State University of New York at Albany Library.
• Web Research Evaluation Checklist: University of Louisville Library.
• Evaluating Internet Research Sources: offers Internet source selection tips for research.  By Robert Harris, Vanguard University of Southern California.
• Web Evaluation Tutorial: This tutorial is designed to help you critically evaluate the information you find on the Internet.

    3) Methodology:

• The Rereading/Rewriting Process: Theory and Collaborative, On-line Pedagogy: chapter in Reading from a Writer's Perspective, Marguerite Helmers, editor.  This describes basic components of first reading, rereading, and critical writing.  Collaborative work in critical rereading and writing was more valued as a pedagogical and practical model.
• The Critical Review of the Literature: (Graduate Research College, Southern Cross University).  Compiled by Darrel N. Caulley of La Trobe University.  As the most important task of critical literature review, this site suggests reviewers with an analytical comparison of major concepts of the literature in relation to their intention or purpose of the review.  It also provides a short example of literature review.
• Research and Writing: using the literature: (Asian Institute of Technology).  By defining various forms of literature and questions that a critical literature review should answer, Jon Shaw explains that literature review should not be a simple summary, but a more critical analysis of existing research.  He also mentions that reading and writing with a purpose is a key point for a critical review of literature.
• Computer-assisted research: A Guide to Tapping Online Information: by Nora Paul.  Some parts of her book are introduced on this Web site: it features a greatly expanded section of Internet-accessible information and practical tips for using online resources in reporting.  The paper book also gives guidelines, directories, and checklists for making the most out of your time online.
• The Concept Mapping Homepage: explains the definition, history, example, and tools of concept mapping.
• An Introduction to Concept Mapping for Planning and Evaluation: by William M.K. Trochim, Cornell University.  It explains six steps of concept mapping in order to develop a conceptual framework which can guide evaluation or planning.
• Information Organization: by Center For Advancement Of Learning, Muskingum College.  It shows several organization methods and examples: flow charts, flash cards, herringbone maps, spider maps or webs, timelines, matrices, hierarchies or arrays, and outlines.
• Graphic Organizers: Various types and examples of organizing information graphically.
• CriticalThinking Across the Curriculum Project: Critical Thinking Core Concepts: by Longview Community College.  It explains how to analyze arguments and how to structure statements for good arguements.

    4) Critical Thinking/ Collaboration/ Organization Tools:

• Blogger: Web log software.  It helps you keep web logs by timeline for collaborative work with others.
• Bookmarking your pages: A short desciption of how to make bookmarks by using Netscape and Internet Explorer.
• WebRing: to find or develop an online community in the same interest of research.
• Pitsco's Ask an Expert: to check a web site which locates subject experts.
• Axon Concepts: Idea Processing is concerned with problems and solutions, questions and answers, unknowns and facts. Thinking arises when you have no solution or answer to a problem or question. You need not think if you already know. The idea behind Axon is to provide an environment that supports thinking. The design is based upon the cognitive sciences, which include psychology, anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, computer science, and neuro-science.
• Inspiration: the premier tool to develop ideas and organize thinking.

3. Bibliography:

    1) Citation styles:

• Research and Writing: how to reference: Basic information on referencing.  This site explains what should or should not be referenced and how references could be made without plagiarism.
• Documentation Guide - APA: provides students with a basic introduction to APA citation style for term papers.  It is based on the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 4th edition.
• MLA style: Paper and Electronic: from the MLA Handbook for Writers. 5th ed. New York:  MLA, 1999 [REF LB 2369.G53 1999] This book can also be purchsed from the MLA web site at http://www.mla.org
• The Columbia Guide to Online Style: The Columbia Guide to Online Style by Janice R. Walker and Todd Taylor (Columbia UP, 1998) presents a guide to locating, translating, and using the elements of citation for both a humanities style (i.e., MLA and Chicago) and a scientific style (APA and CBE) for electronically-accessed sources.
• A brief citation guide for internet sources in history and the humanities: offers suggestions for citations of Internet sources in history and the humanities.  This is derived from the essential principles of academic citation in Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 5th ed.

    2) Annotated bibliography:

• How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography: by Cornell University Library.  A brief explanation of annotated bibliography, the process and samples.
• Writing an Annotated Bibliography: by Owen Williams, University of Minnesota, Crookston Library.  This site defines items that annotation should involve.

    3) Citation Tools:

• EndNote Homepage: EndNote 4 for online-searching and creating bibliographies.  It also provides an interactive tutorial designed to familiarize users with the primary features of EndNote 4 at The EndNote 4 Interactive Tutorial
• Legal citations: installs as a database/writing tool for Word and WordPerfect to streamline the process of researching an issue, organizing an argument, and citing authorities.
• Adding citations with the form tool in Acrobat 4.0: shows the simple steps that you might want to do if you were to add simple bibliographic information to an article using the Forms tool in Acrobat 4.0.