When building a literature review, researchers often use a combination of software tools and online platforms to gather and manage their research sources efficiently. Here are some popular software tools commonly used for this purpose:
Reference Management Software: Reference management software helps researchers organize and manage their bibliographic references and citations. These tools are useful for keeping track of research papers, books, and other sources that are relevant to the literature review. Some popular reference management software options include:Zotero: A free and open-source reference manager that allows users to save, organize, and cite sources. It integrates well with web browsers and word processors. Mendeley: A reference manager and academic social network that enables users to organize their research library, collaborate with others, and discover new research. EndNote: A comprehensive reference management tool with advanced features for organizing and citing references. It is widely used in academic and research settings.
Search Engines and Databases: To find relevant research papers and articles for the literature review, researchers use various academic search engines and databases. Some popular ones include:Google Scholar: A free search engine that indexes scholarly literature across various disciplines. PubMed: A database primarily focused on life sciences and biomedical research. IEEE Xplore: A digital library for research articles, conference papers, and standards in engineering and computer science. ScienceDirect: A platform that provides access to scientific, technical, and medical research articles and journals.
Online Libraries and Digital Repositories: Many universities and research institutions have their online libraries and repositories where researchers can access academic publications. Examples include institutional websites, university libraries, and open-access repositories like arXiv and SSRN.
Collaboration and Note-Taking Tools: Collaboration tools and note-taking software can be helpful for researchers working in teams or those who need to organize their thoughts and ideas efficiently. Some commonly used tools include:Microsoft OneNote: A note-taking application that allows users to create notebooks and organize information using text, images, and multimedia. Evernote: A cross-platform note-taking app that allows users to capture ideas, web pages, and documents and sync them across devices. Google Docs: A cloud-based word processor that facilitates collaboration and real-time editing with multiple users.
Remember that the choice of software will depend on individual preferences, the specific requirements of the literature review project, and any institutional or collaborative considerations