IRS – Literature Search

Phase 2 – Background Research

• Dates: September 9th – September 29th

Project Updates: Experimental Studies Conducted

The following is a summary of the projects being conducted by the students in the course. While the details of each project have yet to be determined, the general areas of study and methods of data collection have been defined.

• KK: human response time / mood, emotion, human factors
• CN: wrist deflection  / human factors, ball impact speed
• AH: knee deflection, valgus angle / human factors

Review of Literature and Background Research

Before proceeding to experimental design, each student should research the background of the topic. The goal of this phase to probe, in depth, what is already known about the subject. It is important to keep in mind that you are conducting research that mimics, mirrors, work that already exists. While your take might be unique, your ability to succeed is to know what has come before you. HEre are general guidelines

• Lucas Library databases are the key start to your searching
• all research must be pulled from referred (edited) journals and publications
• Noodletools is to be used to create a bibliography
• The citations will be in APA style
• the final research will be approximately 10 pages in length, submitted as a standard research paper

Areas of Focus

The areas of focus for the paper are as follows:

• Prior studies that have collected data – how was the data collected? how was it interpreted?
• Equipment being used – how does it work? what is the theory behind its use and interpretation?
• What theoretical background informs the project?
• What conclusions have others found in this area?
• What help is there to create an experimental design for this topic?

Visiting Stanford Lane Medical Library (LINK)

• You-Ping Li = librarian Lane Medical Library
• We are welcome to come to the library to access resources
• Must be well-behaved
• Can look at print resources in the library (cannot check out materials)
• Can use the library computers for 20 minutes only.  These allow access to a host of scientific databases.
• Can bring a USB drive to save articles, email articles, or purchase a print card at the library
• On weekends, if no one else is waiting to use the computers,  might be granted an additional 20 minute session (not likely to happen on a weekday)
• One more source = Directory of Open-Access Journals (http://doaj.org/)