Research Guides
Literature review toolkit for policy studies: Lit review-type sources
Strategy: has someone already done the work for you?
As a first pass, look for existing literature reviews that cover one or more aspects of your research. Rather than doing all the initial cherry picking through literature searches, you benefit from someone else's work to cull important literature. Existing literature reviews can also give you clues about key methodologies and theoretical approaches for your topic. They also give you models for how you might organize your own literature review. Some of the top sources for finding literature reviews and similar overviews:
- Encyclopedias
- Annual reviews
- Handbooks
- Dissertations
- Textbooks
Top tools for finding literature reviews
- Oxford Research Encyclopedias This link opens in a new window
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In-depth articles in a wide range of subject areas. 1 user only. - Gale Ebooks This link opens in a new window
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Online encyclopedias in all fields of study. Great sources for overviews, key concepts, and further reading. - Annual Reviews This link opens in a new window
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Literature reviews on emerging sub-topics in various fields.
- Wiley Interdisciplinary ReviewsReview articles in diverse scientific and complementary fields.
- Oxford Handbooks Online This link opens in a new window
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Introductions to topics and critical surveys of the current state of scholarship in a particular field of study. - ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global This link opens in a new window
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Index to dissertations and theses from all fields of study; full text for most.
Additional tools
- Elgaronline This link opens in a new window
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Books in law, economics, and social and political sciences, including reference works and handbooks.
- Sociology Compass
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Peer-reviewed surveys of a wide variety of topics in sociology. - Geography Compass
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Peer-reviewed surveys of a wide variety of topics in geography. - Campbell Systematic ReviewsReviews on the effects of interventions in crime and justice, education, international development, and social welfare.
- 3ie Systematic ReviewsFrom the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation, effectiveness of social and economic interventions in low- and middle- income countries.
- EPPI Center systematic reviewsReviews in the field of education, health, promotion, public health, social welfare, and international development.
