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When conducting a literature review, researchers should strategically select sources that fulfill four primary objectives: refining the research question, identifying suitable research methods, contextualizing the current study within previous findings, and providing guidance for writing an effective research report.

Goals of a Literature Search

When selecting sources for a literature review, it is generally best to prioritize recent research, typically starting with studies published in the past five years. However, the definition of "recent" is relative to the topic: highly active research areas may require sources from the past one to two years, whereas less active fields may justify including research from the past decade.

Recency of Research Sources

A comprehensive literature search should deliberately include sources that help justify the interestingness and broader importance of the proposed research question. For instance, a study investigating the effects of cell phone use while driving might cite epidemiological or statistical sources on the prevalence of cell phone use and the frequency of motor vehicle crashes to firmly establish the topic's real-world significance.

Sources for Research Interestingness

The appropriate number of sources for a literature review depends on the specific goals of the researcher and how extensively the topic has historically been studied. While empirical studies indicate that the average number of sources cited in professional psychology journal articles is approximately $$50$$, student assignments typically require a much lower minimum, though the core principles of strategically selecting high-quality, relevant sources remain consistent across both levels.

Number of Sources in a Literature Review

Researchers conduct a literature review to strategically select sources that fulfill several primary objectives: refining the research question, identifying suitable research methods, and contextualizing the current study within previous findings. What is the fourth primary objective of this process?

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