Find 8 scholarly articles related to your dependent variable and target population. How does the literature theoretically define your dependent variable? How does the literature measure/evaluate your dependent variable? Are various test validity and reliability issues addressed? What programs or interventions have been successful in changing your dependent variable in your target population according to your literature? That is, what programs were used and how well did they work?

Three methods for locating journal articles: 1. Database searching 2. References at the end of articles 3. Citation searching

Database searching Keys to effective database searching: 1. Search term selection is the most critical component of searching library databases. Look through subject headings (descriptors) to find relevant terms. 2. The more search terms you enter, the less results you get.

References at the end of articles Sources listed at the end of articles take you backwards in time. Be mindful of the dates of sources listed in the references.

Citation Searching A way to find related articles based on an article you already have. Citation searching takes you forward in time from the date of your original article. Search Google Scholar for the title of the source you have (article, book, etc.). Click on the ‘Cited By’ link to find other sources who have cited your source.

When you start following citations, through references at the end of articles and through citation searching of known articles, the different sources tend to fit together better. This provides a cohesive and effective means of conducting a literature search.

“Information literacy…is an intellectual framework for understanding, finding, evaluating, and using information-- activities which may be accomplished through critical discernment and reasoning. Information literacy initiates, sustains, and extends lifelong learning.” Association of College and Research Libraries. "Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education."

Determine the nature and extent of the information needed Access needed information effectively Evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system. Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose Understand many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information Association of College and Research Libraries. "Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education."

What is the general need for your mission? That is, using secondary sources, what is the evidence that there is a need in the target population (e.g., women) to have an intervention (program or policy) to affect their (women’s) dependent variable (e.g., empowerment)? Two Sources of Secondary Literature: Books and Review Articles

Books are good at giving us the broad picture! They take the primary literature (with it narrow focus) and piece it together for us to give us a wide- ranging understanding of the topic. Searching the Library Catalog: When searching for books, start with broader concepts (health or fitness and women). Remember, you’re not searching the full text of books, only titles and subject headings.

Review Articles: A special type of journal article, usually a “state of the art” assessment of what’s known in a particular field. Review articles are viewed as secondary sources because they review primary sources and provide a synthesis of that research. Shorter than a book but with the primary objective of piecing together the primary literature to get a good understanding of the current knowledge on a topic. See the HL 367 course guide for how to find review articles.