We often treat secondary research like a box to check. Find five sources, cite them, move on. But if you treat it like a scavenger hunt instead of a chore, you’ll discover sources that do more than fill space. They can shape your thinking.
1. Chase Down the “Cited By” Trail
Found a great article? Don’t stop there. Use Google Scholar’s “Cited By” feature to see who else has built on that work. Newer sources might offer updated statistics or contrasting perspectives.
2. Explore Trade Publications and Industry News
Not every credible source lives in a peer-reviewed journal. Depending on your topic, trade magazines and industry blogs can offer current insights, professional opinions, and emerging trends. Bonus: they often explain things in accessible language. The Virginia Tech Library has resources on Business, Company, and Industry Information. You can also consult Regional Business News from EBSCOhost.
3. Search Strategically
Swap out basic keywords for more specific or technical ones that professionals in the field might use. Instead of “workplace communication,” try “knowledge transfer in distributed teams” or “cross-functional collaboration.” This switch can open up a whole new set of sources.
Tip: Look for gaps. What isn’t being said in the sources you find? Noticing what’s missing can help you frame your report’s contribution more sharply.