This chapter provides guidance for gathering and analyzing research literature and selecting a research topic. The research process and best practices are described as organic and iterative rather than strictly prescriptive. Strategies are discussed for assessing the existing literature including employing multiple databases and types of sources, seeking summative sources such as existing literature reviews, keeping resources organized, approaching a librarian for research assistance, using citation managers, and being attentive to the frequently cited seminal literature in the field. Methods for collecting, summarizing, and analyzing the existing research on a topic of interest provide both the early career and more seasoned scientist with resource management tools for writing literature reviews, and research proposals and reports.