Trendy, Current And Contemporary Literature – How To Access Trendy, Current And Contemporary Literature For Any Research Study

Trendy, Current And Contemporary Literature – How To Access Trendy, Current And Contemporary Literature For Any Research Study

What is a Research Study?

Often regarded as a research project, research or study, a research study can be described as a rigorous and organized inquiry into a certain issue, topic or subject matter. Similarly, a research study can be defined as a systematic investigation carried out to provide proper solutions or answers to proposed questions.

It entails collecting, gathering and analysing data to properly understand and identify the errors or possible causes of the proposed subject matter or problem.

What is Research Literature?

In its most credulous state, research literature can be regarded as the body of written work published on a specific subject matter or area of study by diverse academic scholars. Thus, it involves scholarly publications such as books, dissertations, conference proceedings, etc.

The research literature is often created after carefully evaluating, analysing and compiling existing literature. It is created to identify the gaps in these existing studies and create ways to fill them.

Why is Research Literature Important In A Research Study?

The research literature is of high vitality in a research study or project. This is owing to many reasons, which include;

• It identifies the existing state of knowledge:

  By compiling and comparing past scholarly works on the same subject matter, researchers can identify the factors or theories discussed, examined or explained by past scholars and those other factors that have not been discussed or examined.

• It notifies the researcher of the research design to look for the research study:

  The researcher can observe and identify the research methods and strategies applied in previous research by reviewing scholarly works on the subject matter. This way, it will be able for the researcher to either adopt or make use of an improved version of the proposed research design.

• It provides proper insight into the subject matter of the proposed research:

  By comparing past scholarly works on the proposed subject matter, the researcher gains insights on the subject matter from all fronts or forms (i.e. historically, academically, culturally, etc.). In other words, reviewing past scholarly works gives the researcher enough insight to conduct proper research and uncover new findings on the proposed subject matter.

• It identifies research bias: In this context, research bias

  can be defined or regarded as a consistent inaccuracy in the research design, which brings about misleading conclusions in the proposed research. By reviewing, analysing and compiling past and existing literature side by side, the researcher will be able to uncover and possibly rectify such biases.

• It lays the groundwork for understanding and interpreting research findings:

  As mentioned in subsequent notions in this section, by surveying previous and existing research on the proposed subject matter, the researcher understands the subject matter to a large extent, thus enabling the researcher to understand and interpret future findings on the proposed subject matter.

What are the types of Research Literature?

There are diverse forms of research literature. Some examples include; historical, theoretical, meta-analysis, empirical, etc. Nonetheless, these diverse forms of research literature can be grouped into two basic categories, namely, current research literature and contemporary research literature.

1. Current Research Literature:

   In its most basic form, the term ‘current research literature’ can be regarded as the most recent studies or findings on a subject matter which are continuously updated or reviewed as more findings on the subject matter are uncovered or created.

   In other words, current research literature can be regarded as the works of researchers, scientists or academics currently conducting research and placing these findings in diverse forms of scholarly publications such as; books, conference proceedings, articles, etc.

   The current research literature is often regarded or depicted as findings of the highest calibre. As a result, it is constantly peer-reviewed by other scholars in similar fields.

2. Contemporary Research Literature:

   The contemporary research literature is the most recent and current research studies and publications on a given topic or subject area. As it has been published recently and reflects the most recent level of knowledge on the subject, this literature is thought to be the most current and pertinent information accessible on a certain issue.

   Various sources, including journal articles, books, conference proceedings, and technical reports, are frequently found in contemporary research literature. Academic institutions, research institutes, and trade associations frequently distribute these sources.

How to access both Current and Contemporary Literature For a Research Study?

Current and contemporary research literature can be accessed via several ways or methods. These ways include;

• In Libraries:

  A library is a collection of printed and electronic resources made available to a community for education, research, and self-improvement. Books, journals, newspapers, magazines, audio and video materials, and digital resources like e-books and databases can all be considered among these sources.

  This implies various ways in which both contemporary and current literature can be accessed in libraries. These methods or ways include;

  1. Online Databases:

     A digital repository of data that can be searched and accessed online is known as an online database. Articles, journals, publications, reports, and other materials may contain this information. Online databases are frequently subscription-based, meaning using them requires a fee or library membership.

     Examples of online databases which can be used to access both forms of literature research include; JSTOR, PROQuest, etc.

  2. Paying a visit to the Library close to you:

     Some libraries give researchers the freedom to use all forms of books in the library, subject to certain conditions. Similarly, some libraries permit researchers to take out books from the library on loan. Visiting a library and finding out the conditions attached to using their books is also a good way to access both forms of literature research.

  3. Library Catalogues:

     A library catalogue is a database that details all the materials offered there. Users will find navigating this information and locating the required resources simple. Each resource’s title, author, publisher, and publication date are normally listed in the catalogue.

     Rather than resorting to other strenuous means such as contacting the librarian or searching shelf after shelf for hours, using catalogues in the library makes users more aware of the form of research literature available at the library.

• Internet Searches:

  This is the art of accessing both forms of research literature through the internet or online searches. If you cannot use the library, internet searches are also a resourceful way to gain access to research literature. This can be done in some ways, including;

  1. Search Engines:

     Diverse search engines, such as Google Scholar, Bing, Yahoo, etc., can be used to uncover research literature on specific topics free of charge. Examples of sources found on these search engines include; journals, books, articles, etc.

  2. Open access repositories:

     A digital archive of academic literature, including journal articles, books, and research papers, is an open-access repository. These archives are made to facilitate knowledge exchange and increase access to research for a larger audience.

  3. ResearchGate:

     This is a social networking platform for researchers and scientists. It is intended to link academics, researchers, and scientists worldwide, enabling them to share research, work together on projects, and stay current with changes in their profession.

     Internet users are also given free access to the materials on this platform subject to specific demands by the authors of such resources. It is also a good way to access both current and contemporary literature.

  4. Research Blogs:

     Another excellent resource for current and contemporary research literature is research blogs. Numerous blogs with links to articles, papers, and other research resources concentrate on particular subjects or disciplines.

  5. Social Media Platforms:

     Both forms of research literature can also be found on social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn. This is because many researchers and institutions use these platforms to share their works to gain more engagement or readership.

• Attending Conferences:

  Another useful strategy which can be employed to gain access to both current and contemporary research literature is by attending conferences.

  This is so because conferences offer a chance to network with other researchers and academics while learning about the most recent research and advancements from subject-matter experts. There are several ways in which both forms of literature can be accessed, including;

  1. Presentations:

     Many conferences include presentations by researchers, scholars, and experts presenting their most recent findings and research. These talks can provide valuable insights into current and recent research literature.

  2. Proceedings:

     The papers and abstracts given at conferences are collected in proceedings and published by many conferences. A plethora of current and contemporary research material can be found in these proceedings.