1.
research
medical
library
PIPELINE scientific training program
introducing the
LITERATURE SEARCH
April Aultman Becker
Education Coordinator
avaultman@mdanderson.org

2.
Today we will…
Turn a Find the best Identify the
question into a places to highest level of
focused search search evidence
we can help at every step of the way

3.
Turn a question into a
focused literature search
identify, consider, and focus

4.
Creating the Searchable Question

5.
I
P
Searchable Question
Does the intervention/procedure/therapy O
improve the outcome for the patient? Or
does the comparison ?
C
Does acupuncture decrease the frequency of
hot flashes among prostate cancer patients
receiving androgen depravation therapy
(ADT)?

6.
Identify the highest levels
of evidence
expose, understand, and search

7.
We try to find evidence that was
researched using these high-level
study designs.
Sometimes, the only evidence we
can find is from mid-level
evidence.
Low-level evidence should only
be used for background
information.

8.
Cochrane Library, Dynamed
PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL,
PychInfo, most databases
Up to Date, textbooks, popular
articles

9.
Find the best places to
search for literature
research, evaluate, and compile

10.
Search for Published Research
»Cochrane Library
»PubMed
»SCOPUS
»and more

11.
• Be aware of British spellings
• Limiters restrict by
product, date, etc.
• Notice the Other Resources
• Look at abstract to
determine study design
• Notice the keywords, MESH
at bottom of article
• Find It button – we’ve got
full text or we’ll find it for
you for free through ILLIAD
• Login to save a search

12.
• Combine keywords using
AND
• Articles listed in order by
date
• Limit by document type or
date
• Articles are listed by dates
• Look at abstract to
determine study design
• Notice the keywords
• Login to SCOPUS to save a
search, or Add to My List

13.
• Search keywords that match
your question and be
specific. Look at “Details” to
understand search.
• Use Filters to narrow by
study
design, publication, species,
etc.
• Change Display Settings
from summary to abstract.
• Revise keyword search after
looking at MeSH terms.
• Login to save searches.
• Look at related articles

14.
Citing the Information

15.
?
Contact us
Ask a librarian a question
Email RML-Help@mdanderson.org
Phone 713-792-2282
Live chat with a librarian on our website
www.mdanderson.org/library
In person: Floor 21 Pickens Tower