go through the literature

USAGE SUMMARY

This is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to reviewing or researching written material related to a specific topic. For example: "In order to understand the history of the Cold War, I went through the literature to gather more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

One can go through the literature and discover that virtually any sexual act, even child adult relations or necrophilia, has somewhere at some time been acceptable behaviour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I was skeptical, and told her to take the summer and go through the literature and visit some labs, and if she could show me that there was a there there, she could proceed.

The New York Times

We also go through the literature and systematically infer each microscopic parameter of the model from experimentally macroscopic measurements.

Bioinformatics

They claimed that the doctors are too busy to go through the literature on their own and most of the literatures landed in the trash.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"As I went through the literature and listened to patients, I became completely convinced".

The New Yorker

We have thoroughly gone through the literature to find the limitation of NVE and its security services in the datacenters.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Thus, by going through the literature review and by understanding the linkages between among the variables, the following conceptual framework in Fig. 6 is proposed for the analysis.

Journal of Big Data

"Developing a best practices guideline, going through the literature, looking at clinical guidelines, and actually every single person agreeing that these are good, these need to be used".

BMC Medical Education

Although I can't go through all the literature and research that proves laughter does what we know it does, we all know the benefits of a great laugh!

Huffington Post

I work very hard to ensure that students do not simply go through the motions of studying literature and writing, even though going through the motions is usually enough to ensure good test scores.

The Washington Post

Therefore, it is essential to go through the recent fullerene derivatives based literatures, including mono-, bis-, tris- and multi-adducts of various methanofullerene derivative, indene based fullerene derivatives, dihydronaptyl substituted fullerenes, fulleropyrolidines, 1,2 and 1,4-adducts and fullerene derivatives for OSCs applications.

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always properly cite and synthesize information obtained when you "go through the literature". This ensures academic honesty and adds credibility to your work.

Common error

Avoid making sweeping statements based on a limited review of the literature. Ensure that your conclusions are supported by a comprehensive and representative sample of relevant sources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go through the literature" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of reviewing, examining, or studying existing written works on a particular topic. It is used to describe the process of becoming familiar with the published research and scholarly writing in a specific field. This is confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go through the literature" is a versatile phrase that is deemed grammatically correct and common, according to Ludwig. It effectively conveys the action of reviewing existing written works in a field to gather knowledge, understand research, or identify research gaps. While suitable for various contexts, it is particularly prevalent in academic, scientific, and professional environments. To ensure a thorough and credible exploration, define a search scope and always correctly cite the sources. When writing, avoid making overgeneralizations based on a partial literature screening. For alternative phrasing, "review the literature" and "examine the literature" are very close in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

review the literature

Replaces "go through" with the more formal "review", suggesting a systematic examination.

examine the literature

Similar to "review", but implies a closer, more critical inspection.

study the literature

Emphasizes learning and understanding the content of the written works.

research the literature

Highlights the investigative aspect of exploring the existing body of knowledge.

explore the literature

Suggests a broad and less structured investigation of the available written works.

delve into the literature

Implies a deep and thorough investigation.

investigate the literature

Focuses on a systematic and detailed inquiry into the written works.

analyze the literature

Highlights a critical evaluation and interpretation of the written content.

survey the literature

Implies a broad overview, rather than an in-depth analysis.

scan the literature

Suggests a quick and superficial review to get a general sense of the content.

FAQs

How can I effectively "go through the literature" for my research?

Start by defining your research question, then use keywords to search relevant databases and journals. Skim abstracts to identify key articles, and systematically review the full text, taking notes and synthesizing information as you "review the literature".

What's the difference between "go through the literature" and "conduct a literature review"?

"Go through the literature" is a general term for exploring existing research, while "conduct a literature review" implies a more formal and systematic process, often as part of a research project or academic assignment. A literature review typically involves a comprehensive search, critical evaluation, and synthesis of relevant sources.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when I "go through the literature"?

Common mistakes include: failing to define a clear research question, relying on outdated or irrelevant sources, not critically evaluating the methodology or findings of studies, and plagiarizing content. Always ensure thoroughness, accuracy, and ethical practices when "researching the literature".

What are the best strategies for "going through the literature" quickly and efficiently?

To "go through the literature" efficiently, use advanced search operators to refine your search results, prioritize sources based on relevance and authority, skim abstracts and conclusions to identify key findings, and use citation management tools to organize and synthesize information. Focus on high-impact journals and seminal works in your field.