Aula 11: Luciana Brito, Revisão e Levantamento da literatura

Introduction to Literature Review

Overview of the Speaker and Context

• Luciana Brito introduces herself as a psychologist with a master's in clinical psychology and a doctorate in public health, currently working at Anis - Instituto de Bioética.

• The conversation is part of an academic writing course led by Professor Rosana Pinheiro Machado, focusing on literature review processes.

Purpose of the Discussion

• The session aims to discuss literature review methodologies for various research objectives, including understanding existing theories and identifying gaps in research.

• Emphasizes that literature reviews can inspire research questions and appropriate methodologies based on previous studies.

Phases of Literature Review

Importance of Literature Review

• A literature review helps summarize existing studies on a topic, reflecting on theoretical concepts related to the researcher’s interests.

• It is crucial for academic life; understanding how to approach it effectively can enhance one's research process.

Structure of the Conversation

• The discussion will be divided into three main parts: initiating a literature review, creating a map of literature and authors, and using bibliographic organizers like Mendeley.

Initiating a Literature Review

Starting Points for Research

• Depending on one’s academic stage, starting points may vary; suggestions include exploring topics through "textual tourism" or revisiting past coursework.

• Broad topics such as feminism or public health emergencies can be refined into specific research questions through this exploration.

Finding Keywords

• Returning to previously studied texts can help identify keywords essential for conducting effective searches within specific fields.

• Keywords are descriptors that facilitate finding relevant articles; understanding their significance is vital for successful literature searches.

Diversity in Sources

Prioritizing Articles Over Books

• When beginning research, prioritizing articles over books is recommended due to their accessibility and ability to provide diverse perspectives quickly.

Understanding the Importance of Keywords in Research

The Role of Keywords

• Keywords are crucial for articles; broad keywords can yield irrelevant results. For instance, searching "violence" may return excessive unrelated content, while "domestic violence" is more specific and useful.

• When seeking references, start with current texts. Recognize two significant limitations: time constraints for research and reading, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy if expectations are too high.

Time Management in Literature Review

• Acknowledge that time is available for reading and researching. Assess your weekly schedule to determine how much time you can allocate to literature review.

• Begin your search with the most recent articles (e.g., from 2020), as they often reference foundational works or classic studies relevant to your topic.

Effective Searching Strategies

• Utilize platforms like Scielo, a free virtual library containing numerous Brazilian and Latin American journals. Explore this resource thoroughly.

• Employ Boolean operators ("and," "or," "not") in searches to refine results. For example, use “domestic violence” AND “public health” to ensure both terms appear together.

Advanced Search Techniques

• Use quotation marks around phrases (e.g., “domestic violence”) to find exact matches. This prevents unrelated articles from appearing in search results.

• To explore synonyms or related terms, use OR between them (e.g., “domestic violence” OR “gender-based violence”). This broadens the scope of your search effectively.

Filtering Unwanted Results

• If irrelevant articles appear during searches, utilize NOT to exclude certain topics or authors (e.g., NOT “male perpetrators”) from your results.

Leveraging Review Articles for Efficient Research

Benefits of Review Articles

• Review articles provide an overview of the state-of-the-art within a field and can serve as valuable accelerators by summarizing key themes and theories already established by other researchers.

Cross-referencing Literature

• Conduct cross-referencing by examining citations within review articles. This helps trace back influential works that shaped current understanding in the field.

Organizing Your Literature Map

Creating a Literature Map

• After gathering literature, decide what will be reviewed based on abstracts—good summaries indicate central themes and methodologies used in research papers.

Reading Rhythm Awareness

How to Organize Your Literature Review

Creating Filters for Article Selection

• It's essential to create filters based on your available time, deadlines, and reading speed. This helps in selecting articles effectively.

• Begin by reading abstracts to categorize articles into two piles: "may read" and "definitely will read." This initial sorting is crucial for efficient literature management.

Mapping Authors and Literature

• Developing a mental map of authors after reviewing literature aids in organization. It may seem time-consuming but significantly enhances the selection process.

• A recommended resource for creating these maps is John Creswell's book "Metodologia de Pesquisa," which discusses author mapping techniques.

Structuring Your Literature Map

• Define your main research question or topic before creating a literature map. The structure can be hierarchical with topics and subtopics or thematic divisions.

• An example provided involves studying media framing of crack cocaine, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between public health and security perspectives.

Setting Reading Goals

• Recognizing that endless reading can lead to anxiety, it's vital to set clear limits on bibliographic searches based on personal pace and timelines.

• Break down your timeline into manageable weekly goals, allowing for reflection on what works or needs adjustment in your approach.

Importance of Continuous Reading

• Regular reading expands understanding within your study area; however, managing bibliographic references is critical due to time constraints.

• A literature map serves as an organizational tool that connects authors, concepts, and categories while evolving as you refine your focus through ongoing readings.

Utilizing Bibliography Management Tools

Mendeley: A Comprehensive Tool for Managing Your Research

Introduction to Mendeley

• Mendeley is a free tool designed for managing and storing a virtual library of books, articles, and texts.

• It organizes references based on metadata, which includes essential details like title, authorship, publication source, and more.

Features of Mendeley

• Users can create thematic folders to organize texts by subject or author, making it easier to locate materials later.

• Mendeley operates in the cloud, allowing access from any device with internet connectivity; users can sync their libraries across multiple devices.

• The platform supports group collaboration where users can form study groups (up to 3 members in the free version), enabling shared annotations and discussions.

Networking and Recommendations

• Mendeley functions similarly to a social network; users can discover other researchers' profiles and public reference lists.

• The platform provides personalized article recommendations based on user library content over time.

Integration with Word

• Users can install a plugin for Microsoft Word that allows easy citation formatting in various styles (e.g., ABNT, APA).

• This feature streamlines the process of citing numerous references efficiently without manual entry.

Conclusion

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of using Mendeley for better organization and time management in research activities.