Task Analysis for Literature Search
Search strategies using a database
1) Search on an academic database such as PsycINFO
using keyword combinations relevant to topic. A firststep would be using combinations of keywords fromarticles you have already read.
2) Search on an academic database using the names ofauthors who have published on the topic.
3) Using an academic database, search specific journals
by topic and author(s) names. Go to the journal’s
website and search using keywords and author(s)name(s).
4) Search on Google Scholar using combinations of
keywords and/or the authors associated with topic.
5) Subscribe to a search service or use the search alert
from your college library. Sign up for alerts on newly
published articles by topic.
6) If you have time, set up an alert on multiple searchservices several months in advance so you will receive
notices of currently published articles on your topic.

Search strategies related to author(s)1) Search academic databases or Google Scholar using
author(s) name to find other articles on the topic.
2) Check to see if author(s) have a website or page oncollege/university website. Their most current
publications may be listed there.
3) Search for webinars the author may have given on thetopic. They may cite current research.

Search strategies related to a specific article
1) Search academic databases and Google Scholar using
keywords in title and those listed with the abstract.
2) Search for the article through PsycINFO and make anote of the subsequently published articles that havecited it.
3) If there is a seminal article on the topic, find it throughPsycINFO and make a note of the articles that havecited it.
4) As you read the article, take note of any articles citedthat pertain to the points of interest to you.
5) Look through article references for other authors who
have published articles on the topic. Follow search
procedures for these authors and articles.
6) As you identify potential articles through your search,
repeat any of the strategies listed above as needed.
Created by Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, BCBA, LBA, Board Member of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment
Feel free to share.

Search strategies related to topic(s)1) Search databases using combinations of keywords
related to the topic to develop a list of authors whowrite frequently on the topic. Note that they may be
the second author on an article written by a graduate
student.
2) Search for webinars on the topic on the Internet. You
may need to evaluate the organization for its
commitment to evidence-based practices.
3) If needed for an historical overview, search databaseswith unlimited time period (in years). This might help
you find seminal articles or a timeline of articles thatwould show developments over time.
4) Identify seminal article on the topic and review articles
that have cited it.

Search strategies related to topic(s) in sources other than peer-reviewed journals
1) Search using keywords to find organizations related tothe topic. For example, the Childhood Apraxia ofSpeech Association of North America (CASANA) has
information and webinars on their site.
2) Large professional organizations like the American
Academy of Pediatrics or the American Psychological
Association may have published position statements,
whitepapers, or links to resources on their websites.
3) Some professional organizations such as New York
Association for Behavior Analysis (NYSABA) havearchived presentations from past conferences availableto members at no cost.
4) Search through the websites of BCBA approved ACE
providers, such as FoxyLearning, Behavior
Development Solutions, or ABAskills for webinars orresources related to the topic.

Created by Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, BCBA, LBA, Board Member of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment
Feel free to share.