This document provides guidance on conducting effective literature searches and reviews. It discusses developing search strategies, choosing appropriate databases, using keywords, truncation and wildcards, keeping records of searches, and avoiding distractions. The importance of systematic and comprehensive literature searches is emphasized as a way to maximize relevant findings and draw valid conclusions. Maintaining research skills is portrayed as valuable for evidence-based practice and lifelong learning.

1. Adapted from Chris Gordon: 2012

2. Do you feel a bit like the guy in the following slide?

3. Warning!

4. Session Aims
 Database searching what to do and what not to do
 Wildcards, Boolean operators and Search filters
 Review and discussion of systematic literature reviews
 Exploring the main principles of the facet analysis

5. Research……
 For those of you currently finding it hard remember…it
is like learning any new language with rules and words
and meanings.
 However….once learnt you know it for life. And it is
worth the effort!

6. Research Skills…worth the effort.
 Aid with all the “project management” type skills like
Planning, Implementation & Evaluation
 You will be able to critically evaluate research with ease
which gives confidence in developing yours and others
practice
 Ability to think and study autonomously….increased
curiosity and developing/ pursuing new ideas.

8. Why search the literature
 Essential to maintain contemporary practice
 Supports best practice and facilitates evidence-based
practice
 Searching skills are professional and academic life
skills
 Practice makes perfect
 If you don’t do this already you will soon be
addicted…..

10. Literature Search & Literature
Review.
 Literature Search
 “a systematic process of identifying material that is
appropriate”
 Literature Review
 Critical Appraisal and Evaluation of the material.
 “Succeeding in research project plans & Literature Reviews for Nursing Students”
Andrew Whittaker, Graham Williamson, 2011.

11. What are you looking for?
 Books
 Journals
 Articles
 Primary research
 Secondary research
 Grey literature

12. Purpose of literature searches
 To Keep up-to-date with current research
 Help to influence practice using comprehensive
literature searching
 Effective appraisal needs systematic searching and
retrieval strategies
 Inadequate searching may mean important work is
missed and erroneous conclusions made
 (Newell &Burnard, 2006)

13. Importance of Systematic
Literature Review
 Maximises the likelihood of finding relevant material
 Minimises the chances of being overwhelmed by irrelevant
material
 The search and retrieval of literature according to set and
transparent criteria enables work to be repeated by others.

14. National Institute for Health
Research
 <iframe width="420" height="315"
src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mAAfvXZPHtE
" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAAfvXZPHtE

15. Shape of literature review….
Broad
Narrow

16. Designing a search strategy
 Once a preliminary search of the literature has been
conducted and a rigorous question is developed a
search strategy should be planned
 Activity: with a partner consider what are the
necessary components of a search strategy?

17. Search strategies
 Databases
 Search terms
 Sensitivity, spelling, abbreviations, alternatives
 Inclusion exclusion criteria
 Rationales, do these influence your question?
 Limitations
 Years, English, quality, subsequent bias
 Other resources

18. Two of my favourite books….(am I
sad?).

19. Some useful Databases
 British Nursing Index  PsychInfo
 CINAHL  Health Information
 Medline Resources
 EMBASE  DARE
 Proquest  Cochrane Library
Relevant material may be found across
medical, nursing, social sciences and perhaps business. No
one database will be likely to search and capture the whole
topic area. You will find duplication

20. Search terms
P I C O
Activity: In groups using a similar table explore the different possible
spellings, alternative language and abbreviations that may apply to your
question or topic.

21. Lets explore…..
 Look at some of the library e-resources….

22.  EBSCOhost is a powerful online reference system
accessible via the Internet or direct connection. It
offers a variety of proprietary full text databases and
popular databases from leading information
providers. The comprehensive databases range from
general reference collections to specially
designed, subject-specific databases for
public, academic, medical, corporate and school
libraries.

23. Subject headings

24. Databases: Top tip
 Always conduct database searches separately i.e. do
not combine a Medline and CINAHL search.
 Always use the advanced search page
 If you want to capture anything….click “anywhere in
text”, if you want it central, then click “title” or
“abstract”.

25. Truncation
 If you type in comput*
 EBSCO will find computer, computing, computed
 nurs* midwi*
 Be careful!

26. Wildcard
 Useful for Americanisms such as color, anemia pediatric
etc
 If you type in ne?t
 EBSCO will find
 neat
 nest
 ne..t
 ne…t

27. Keep a record…..
 Search for simple search terms first and then combine
later
 Keep track of the hit rate
 It is all part of capturing the academic rigour you have
applied to your work.

29. Don’t get distracted!!
Essential & Relevant
Interesting
but
distracting!

30. References
 Aveyard, H, (2010). Doing a Literature Review in Health &
Social Care: A Practical Guide. McGraw Hill
 Bowling, A, (2009). Research Methods in Health. McGraw
Hill.
 Hart, C, (2003). Doing a Literature Review. Open
University Press.
 Polit, D.F, & Beck, C.T, (2010). Essentials of Nursing
Research. Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins.
 Sackett, D.L, (1996). Evidence based medicine: what it is
and what it isn't
 http://www.bmj.com/content/312/7023/71.short