This document provides guidance on conducting a literature search to identify research on a topic. It instructs the reader to identify a research question and associated keywords, conduct a search using databases, and identify relevant research articles. Specific tips are given on thinking of synonyms, searching elements of the question separately and combining searches. The document also distinguishes between primary research sources published in journals and secondary sources that summarize or review primary research. An example search topic and process are demonstrated.

1. CMH4442 Professional
Development And Research
Searching for literature and evaluating the
results

2. Three things for today:
• Identify a research question and
associated keywords for literature
searching.
• Carry out a literature search.
• Identify research articles from your
results.

3. Brainstorm
Think:
• What about your topic interests you? Is
there a specific question you want to ask?
• Identify ideas, concepts and keywords for
your topic.
• Identify synonyms and different spellings.
• Think around your question.

4. What exactly are you trying to find
out?
• Two frameworks that may help you with
your question are:
• PICO (Population; Intervention;
Comparison; Outcome)
or
• SPICE (Setting; Perspective; Intervention;
Comparison; Evaluation)

5. For any question:
• Consider the different keywords, related
terms or subheadings within your question;
• Think of possible synonyms e.g. heart attack
or myocardial infarction;
• Search each element separately;
• Combine searches on the same or similar
subjects with OR e.g. high blood pressure
OR hypertension;
• Combine searches on different subjects
using AND e.g. diabetes AND pregnancy.

6. Search Scenario
• Find recent, peer-reviewed evidence
on the following:
How acupuncture therapy may help
manage back pain

7. Thinking around the topic
Acupuncture
Therapy
Therapeutic
Treatment
Back Pain – acute? Chronic?
Back - Lower/Low? Lumbar?
Spine

8. Natural Standard can be useful for
identifying synonyms/related terms

9. Demonstration

10. Now it is your turn to have a go
at searching…
Remember to go from My Unihub-
My Study-My Library-Library Subject
Guides.
Use one of the databases from the
Complementary Health Library
Subject Guide - Finding Journal
Articles page

11. Distinguishing between primary
and secondary sources
• Primary sources – original research
published by the researchers in peer-reviewed
journals. Use databases such
as Medline to search for these.
• Secondary sources – work that
summarises, critiques or reviews
primary research. See for example
Natural Standard and the Cochrane
Library.

12. Primary or secondary?
• Using one of your results, look at the
ABSTRACT and/or first pages of the
article
• Is it primary or secondary research?
• How can you tell?

13. Some Examples….

20. Referencing
worries?
Don’t Panic – just go to Cite them Right
on the Referencing page of your subject
guide for help and examples.