Having read the main reference works and compendiums, you will have formed a general impression of your topic. You can use this new knowledge to phrase additional search terms that will help you uncover additional sources.

Ideally, the research process is as follows:

• You acquire more and more knowledge on your topic and this knowledge becomes increasingly specific.
• Based on the knowledge you have gained, you phrase additional search terms that will enable you to find more sources. Those sources in turn increase your knowledge.
• This improved understanding enables you to frame your subject and to answer your main research question, or helps you rephrase your main research question into a more answerable question.

Through this continuous interaction between knowledge acquisition and knowledge application, you eventually gain a comprehensive overview of the most important publications on your topic. In addition, you acquire the ability to synthesize these sources in arguing your main thesis.