The literature search process involves several key steps: (1) identifying a specific research question using PICO elements - population, intervention, comparison, outcome; (2) searching the literature using keywords, controlled vocabulary, Boolean operators, and filters; (3) assessing the relevance of literature found; (4) synthesizing areas of agreement and disagreement between studies as well as new relevant findings; and (5) integrating findings into research proposals, papers or other work. The goal is to conduct a comprehensive review that places one's own research in the proper context.

1. The Literature Search Process

2. Objectives
1. Describe the process of conducting a thorough
literature review
2. Identify core principles of a thorough search
3. Compare and select resources for education / medical
literature

3. What is a literature review?
“…comprehensive study and interpretation of literature
that addresses a specific topic.”
Aveyard, Helen. Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care: A Practical
Guide, 2010.

4. Why conduct a literature review?
Provide background on a topic
Identify gaps for innovations
Place findings into context
Propose opportunities for further research

5. Literature review process
Identify specific
research question
Synthesize the
literature
Search the
literature
Assess relevance of
the literature
Integrate
findings
Manage citations
to literature

6. Identifying a specific question
What’s the difference?
Topic 1: Effectiveness of early warning systems
Topic 2: Effectiveness of early warning systems on failure
to rescue

7. Identifying a specific question 2
Define your Topic
“Do early warning systems reduce the failure to
rescue rate in inpatients?”

8. Search the literature
PICO –specific question  searchable
question
P (patient population / problem)
I (intervention / exposure)
C (comparison)
O (outcomes)

9. Search the literature 2
P – inpatients
I – early warning systems
C – ?
O – failure to rescue

10. Search the literature 3
1. Think in concepts
2. Keep the concepts separate
3. Use keywords and controlled vocabulary
4. Use Boolean operators
5. Filter or limit the results responsibly

11. Think in concepts / keep them separate
Early
warning
systems
Failure to
rescue

12. Think in concepts / keep them separate
*Consider alternative terminology (synonyms,
acronyms, etc.)
Ex: Early warning system
• Physiological scoring system
• Integrated monitoring system

13. Think in Concepts / keep them separate
Early
warning
systems
Failure to
rescue
• Early warning system
• Physiological scoring
system
• Early warning score(s)
• Physiological alert tool
• Integrated monitoring
system
• Failure to rescue
• Suboptimal
management
• Suboptimal care
• Physiologic
deterioration
• Catastrophic

14. Use keywords and controlled vocabulary
Keywords –
Everyday language used to describe a concept
• Not assigned
• May be included in title, author name / affiliation,
abstract, and other areas of a record
• Variety is the spice of life…for some
• Helpful for picking up rare terms/ terms that do not rise
to the level of subject terms

15. Use keywords and controlled vocabulary
Controlled vocabulary–
Assigned terms for a single concept, usually the topic of an
article
• Disambiguate language
• Organize databases
• Facilitate retrieval
• Assigned by humans

16. Use Boolean operators
Early warning
systems
Failure to rescue Failure to rescueEarly warning
systems
AND OR

17. Put it all together
Keywords:
Early warning systems
Physiological scoring system
Physiological alert tool
Search:
"Physiological scoring system“ OR “Physiological alert tool” OR "Monitoring, Physiological"[MeSH] OR
"Biological Markers"[Mesh]
Subject Terms:
"Monitoring,
Physiological"[MeSH]
"Biological Markers"[Mesh]

18. Filter or limit the results
Early warning
systems
Failure to rescue
Retrospective
studies

19. Resources for Med Ed Research
PubMed
• Biomedical, health sciences, vet med, nursing research
ERIC
• Education research
PsycINFO
• Psychology and psychiatry research
Academic Search Complete
• Broad coverage of disciplines, popular articles also included

20. Side Note: Keeping track of the search
Spreadsheets!
• Track terms used in search
• Note variations between databases
• Copy / paste searches to re-run later

21. Manage Citations
How will you store, organize, access, share, cite the
articles?
Some options:
• Refworks (guides.library.vcu.edu/refworks)
• Endnote
• Zotero
• Mendeley

22. Assess Relevance
Based on innate or defined inclusion criteria
• Population characteristics
• Study design elements
• Specific outcomes
Cannot necessarily search for these elements

23. Synthesizing the literature
What are the areas of agreement / disagreement?
Are there new findings that are relevant to your work?
What information is most useful to you?
Citation (author, title, journal) Year Population Intervention Outcome(s) Design
Jones, "Are we sticking kids
enough? A study of needle
stick frequency on child crying
initiation", Journal of Practical
Pediatrics
2013 children needles time to cry
randomized
controlled
trial
Johnson, "Effect of masks on
child irritability", Journal of
Pediatric Psychology
2011 children latex masks
scream in
decibels
randomized
controlled
trial

24. Integrate the findings
Research proposal?
Introduction / discussion section?
Stand – alone paper?

25. Me
John Cyrus
Research and Education Librarian
SOM / VCUHS Liaison
cyrusjw@vcu.edu