I have a problem. I can't stop finding new sources. Every time I think I'm done, I find one more article. Then that article cites five more. Then those five cite ten more. It's a hydra. 
My advisor says: "Your literature review doesn't need to include everything. It needs to include enough."
But what does "enough" mean?
I've been working on this chapter for four months. I have 120 sources in my bibliography. My advisor says that's too many. She says I'm "hoarding citations."
She's right. But I'm terrified of missing something important. What if some random article from 1997 has the key insight I need? What if I skip it and my argument falls apart?
How do you know when you're done reading and ready to write?
Is there a signal? A feeling? A rule of thumb?
I need someone to tell me to stop. Please.
My advisor says: "Your literature review doesn't need to include everything. It needs to include enough."
But what does "enough" mean?
I've been working on this chapter for four months. I have 120 sources in my bibliography. My advisor says that's too many. She says I'm "hoarding citations."
She's right. But I'm terrified of missing something important. What if some random article from 1997 has the key insight I need? What if I skip it and my argument falls apart?
How do you know when you're done reading and ready to write?
Is there a signal? A feeling? A rule of thumb?
I need someone to tell me to stop. Please.