Literature Surveys: Use of Libraries, Indexing, and Reference Materials

By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

A literature survey (or literature review) is the systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and summarizing existing research, theories, and reports related to a particular topic. It provides the foundation for any technical report, thesis, or research paper.

1. Use of Libraries

Libraries are primary sources for gathering authentic and reliable information.

  • University/Institution Libraries
    • Access to textbooks, journals, technical reports, conference proceedings, theses, and dissertations.
    • Special collections (archives, maps, standards, government reports).
  • Digital/Online Libraries
    • IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, JSTOR, Wiley Online Library.
    • Access to e-journals, e-books, patents, and databases.
  • Services Offered by Libraries
    • Catalogues & OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) – helps locate books/reports by author, title, or subject.
    • Inter-Library Loan (ILL) – borrowing materials not available locally.
    • Digital Repositories – theses, institutional publications, government records.

2. Knowledge of Indexing

Indexing is crucial for locating relevant literature quickly.

  • Types of Indexing Sources
    • Abstracting and Indexing (A&I) Databases – e.g., Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, INSPEC.
    • Library Indexing Services – subject indexes, citation indexes, keyword indexes.
    • Keyword Indexing – helps identify major terms used in a subject field.
  • Why Indexing is Useful
    • Saves time in identifying relevant sources.
    • Ensures comprehensive coverage of the topic.
    • Helps track citations, impact factor, and research trends.

3. Use of Reference Materials

Reference materials are essential for background study and verification.

  • Primary Reference Sources
    • Research articles, technical reports, standards, patents, theses.
    • Provide first-hand, original data.
  • Secondary Reference Sources
    • Review articles, books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, yearbooks.
    • Provide summarized and interpreted information.
  • Tertiary Reference Sources
    • Bibliographies, indexes, directories, databases.
    • Provide guidance on where to find sources.

4. Process of Conducting a Literature Survey

  1. Define the topic/problem clearly.
  2. Search library catalogues, digital databases, and indexing services.
  3. Select keywords and descriptors for better searching.
  4. Collect reference materials (books, journals, reports).
  5. Read abstracts and summaries to filter relevant works.
  6. Review and analyze critically – identify gaps, trends, methodologies.
  7. Organize references (using tools like Mendeley, Zotero, EndNote).
  8. Write the survey logically (thematic, chronological, or methodological order).

✅ In short:

  • Libraries provide access to authentic materials.
  • Indexing enables efficient retrieval of information.
  • Reference materials build the foundation for analysis and synthesis in a literature survey.

References

Bornmann, L. (2013). What is societal impact of research and how can it be assessed? A literature survey. Journal of the American Society for information science and technology, 64(2), 217-233.

Cline, W. R. (1975). Distribution and development: A survey of literature. Journal of Development Economics, 1(4), 359-400.

Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Social Injustice Inflicted by Spatial Changes in Vernacular Settings: An Analysis of Published Literature. ISVS e-journal, Vol. 11, Issue 9. https://isvshome.com/pdf/ISVS_11-09/ISVSej_11.09.07.pdf

Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Politics in the Name of Women’s Reservation. Contemporary Voice of Dalit, 2455328X241262562. https://doi.org/10.1177/2455328X241262562 

Knopf, J. W. (2006). Doing a literature review. PS: Political Science & Politics, 39(1), 127-132.

Sharma, S. N., & Dehalwar, K. (2025). A Systematic Literature Review of Transit-Oriented Development to Assess Its Role in Economic Development of City. Transportation in Developing Economies, 11(2), 23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40890-025-00245-1

Sharma, S. N. (2019). Review of most used urban growth models. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology, 10(3), 397-405. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372478470_Review_of_Most_Used_Urban_Growth_Models 

Sharma, S. N., Singh, S., Kumar, G., Pandey, A. K., & Dehalwar, K. (2025). Role of Green Buildings in Creating Sustainable Neighbourhoods. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1519(1), 012018. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1519/1/012018

Van Der Waldt, G. (2021). Elucidating the application of literature reviews and literature surveys in social science research. Administratio Publica, 29(1), 1-20.