Novice researchers often dive straight into journal databases. Very soon they are lost in the forest of database. Because scholarly articles are usually narrow, jargon-dense, and assume familiarity with a field’s history and core concepts.
Beginners can not make much sense out of it.

A more effective strategy is deliberate. Begin with broad, authoritative sources to learn the roots of the topic, then progressively focus until you can identify a clear, researchable gap.

Books, handbooks, authoritative reviews and high-quality media summaries give conceptual scaffolding in terms of theories, historical development, recurring debates, and common methodologies.

When you understand the conceptual backbone, in-text citations in empirical papers will make sense, you can recognise meaningful gaps, and you will be able to judge whether a narrow study advances the field or merely reiterates it.

Step-by-step approach (general → specific)

1. Define the topical boundary– Specify the broad area, population, context, and limits.
2. Begin with authoritative overviews. Read textbooks, handbooks, encyclopaedia entries, and well-cited reviews.
3. Survey high-quality secondary sources. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, policy reports, reputable media.
4. Map the conceptual landscape. Create a concept map or timeline of theories, constructs, and historical shifts.
5. Follow foundational references. Trace key works cited in overviews (backward snowballing).
6. Identify theoretical and measurement traditions. Note recurring frameworks and operational definitions.
7. Formulate provisional questions and gaps. Identify unresolved or underexplored issues.
8. Search targeted empirical studies. Use refined keywords and filters in scholarly databases.
9. Use forward citation tracking. See who has cited relevant works to find latest developments.
10. Critically appraise studies. Record design, sample, findings, limitations, and gaps.