How can you effectively use online repositories to find relevant literature?

1 Identify suitable repositories

The first step is to identify which online repositories are relevant and reliable for your research topic, discipline, and scope. You can use different criteria to evaluate the suitability of a repository, such as its coverage, quality, accessibility, reputation, and citation impact. You can also consult various directories, rankings, and guides that list and compare online repositories based on these criteria. For example, you can use the Directory of Open Access Repositories (DOAR) to search for repositories by subject, country, or type.

2 Search and filter results

The second step is to use the search and filter functions of the online repositories to find the literature that matches your research question, keywords, and criteria. You can use different search strategies, such as boolean operators, wildcards, quotation marks, and parentheses, to refine your query and increase its precision and recall. You can also use the filter options, such as publication date, language, document type, and subject, to narrow down your results and exclude irrelevant or outdated items.

4 Download and cite literature

The fourth step is to download and cite the literature that you have selected from the online repositories. You can use the download options, such as PDF, HTML, or XML, to save the literature in your preferred format and device. You can also use the citation options, such as APA, MLA, or Harvard, to copy or export the citation information in your preferred style and software. You should always cite the literature properly and acknowledge its source and license.

5 Manage and organize literature

The fifth step is to manage and organize the literature that you have downloaded and cited from the online repositories. You can use different tools and techniques to store, sort, label, and annotate the literature in a systematic and efficient way. You can also use different methods and software to synthesize, analyze, and compare the literature in a critical and coherent way. You should manage and organize the literature in a way that facilitates your understanding and writing of your literature review.

6 Update and monitor literature

The sixth step is to update and monitor the literature that you have found and used from the online repositories. You can use different features and functions of the online repositories to keep track of the latest developments and trends in your research field and topic. You can also use different sources and services to discover and access new and relevant literature that may emerge or become available. You should update and monitor the literature regularly and systematically to ensure that your literature review is comprehensive and current.