The document provides guidance for graduate students on conducting literature reviews and research. It outlines resources available at the University of Miami including databases, libraries, and research support staff. Students are encouraged to search databases in advance, focus on peer-reviewed recent sources, and use bibliographic tools like EndNote to organize references. Synthesis tables are recommended to systematically review literature and identify themes.
2. As you prepare to begin your studies as a graduate
student, the expectations of your ability to write and
perform research using the literature will grow.
3. The University of Miami is a Level I Research Center that is
known around the world. The University has access to the
top databases to allow you access just about any resource
you desire to read. The key is that you perform your
literature searches in advance of your deadline so that there
is time for an interlibrary loan (accomplished by
submitting an online request) to take place if the
University does not have access to the article.
Here is the link to the Otto Richter Library:
http://www.miami.edu/index.php/libraries/
The Libraries link is also on the www.miami.edu homepage
4. The beauty of online databases is that much of your
research can be performed at home or on your smart
phone and at your convenience online!
5. Some common databases relevant to nursing and
health studies include:
CINAHL Plus – Nursing and Allied Health
MEDLINE - Medicine and Allied Health
PUBMED - Medicine and Allied Health
ERIC - Education
PsycINFO – Psychology
Health and Psychosocial Instruments
Essential Nursing Collection
6. There is a research page on the library website that answers
FAQ’s: http://library.miami.edu/research/
There is an expert librarian available for you to contact with
questions
Suzanne Stemler
Contact Info
Richter Library
305-284-4053 (office)
305-284-4722 (information desk)
sstemler@miami.edu
7. When performing literature searches, try to perform
an advanced search and limit your search to “peer
reviewed” journals as well as current literature (5 years
or less).
Using these strategies will help you to find current,
reputable sources.
8. Your term papers will require a bibliography or list of
references at the end. There are wonderful resources
such as
EndNote
RefWorks
BibMe
that allow you to import and create instant
bibliographies. This will save you LOADS of time and
is generally more accurate.
9. You should sign up for a training session on RefWorks
or EndNote early in your program. These resources not
only allow you to produce instant bibliographies, they
allow you to directly import and store your references
to accumulate a personal library.
The resource person regarding RefWorks and EndNote
is:
Jameatris Y. (Johnson) Rimkus, M.S. in L.I.S.
voice: (305)284-4042
fax: (305)284-9848
jyjohnso@miami.edu
10. The University has a writing center and academic resource
center.
The writing center will not “proofread” your papers per se,
but they will help work with you to grow in your writing. If
you struggle with grammar, you might consider purchasing
the application of “grammarly” (but you would have to
pay).
As always, the trick to success is stay ahead with your
studies and to make an appointment early!
11. One way to organize yourself when performing a
literature review is to develop a synthesis table. The
table will help you organize and elicit the key points of
the studies you have read. The preferred approach to
reviewing the literature is to synthesize the literature
or perform an “integrated” review. Developing a table
prior to writing will help you formulate common
themes of knowledge and findings so you can organize
your paper.
12. Reference Purpose Method/ Sample Strengths Limitations Results
of Study Design
14. Any time you are preparing to write a large, in-depth
term paper requiring a thorough investigation of the
literature, consider writing to publish!
Many students miss out on wonderful opportunities to
publish important information because they only
consider it after years have passed. Instead of just
writing a paper just to complete an assignment, write
for the betterment of society and to jumpstart your
career!
15. Having this information before your program begins
will help you be aware of the technology and tools to
be more efficient, organized, and successful!
Best of luck with your future direction in research!
