The document provides guidance for conducting and recording a literature search. It recommends keeping a record of search details such as the databases searched, dates, search terms used, and limits applied. This helps when writing up research as important search details are documented. The record should also note the number of results and any other relevant information. Tips are provided on justifying search limits, re-running searches, using different search types beyond keywords, and refining search strategies iteratively. Additional help resources are also referenced.

1. University Library
September 2014
Literature Search Record
www.le.ac.uk/library
Search Summary
A record of where, when and how you searched will help you when writing up your research, as you won’t remember later where you looked and the
keywords you used.
Research topic:
Key concepts:
Database
Searched
Date
Searched
Search Strategy Used
(Keywords, phrases, subject terms)
Limits
(Date range,
language)
No.
Results
Notes
Search strategy saved (name)?
Files saved/exported (name/place)?
Keywords, authors for future searches?

2. 2 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · LIBRARY
www.le.ac.uk/library
Database
Searched
Date
Searched
Search Strategy Used
(Keywords, phrases, subject terms)
Limits
(Date range,
language)
No.
Results
Notes
Search strategy saved (name)?
Files saved/exported (name/place)?
Keywords, authors for future searches?

3. 3 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · LIBRARY
www.le.ac.uk/library
You may need to justify the decisions you make e.g.
 Reasons for choosing the date range – has there been a change in research practice / introduction of new technology or ideas?
 If you decide to limit to English Language give reasons / acknowledge implications of publication bias.
Remember to re-run your searches regularly to find new publications, or set-up search alerts/RSS feeds to keep up to date.
You don’t have to just search for key words or concepts. Other searches can be useful e.g.
 Author search
 Citation search
 Grey Literature (‘unpublished’ or non-academic publications)
Literature searching is an iterative process you may need to add /or remove keywords to improve your search strategy
Further Help
http://www2.le.ac.uk/library/for/researchers/training-and-development/finding-information

4. 4 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER · LIBRARY
www.le.ac.uk/library