5 Steps to an Effective Literature Search

A variety of different sources are available below on the five steps to an effective literature search. These are split into introductory, intermediate and advanced skills. The introductory items are suitable for those new to literature searching, the intermediate items for MSc students and the advanced items for staff and research degree students.

The following journal articles give a good basic overview of the literature search process:

Jones LV, Smyth RL. How to perform a literature search. Current Paediatrics. 2004;14:482-488.
Shojania KG, Olmsted RN. Searching the health care literature efficiently: from clinical decision-making to continuing education. American Journal of Infection Control. 2002;30:187-195. Note that PubMed has been re-designed since this paper was published and so the specific instructions on how to conduct the searches are no longer correct.

1. Define your topic

Introduction

How do I frame my search? A guide to defining your search topic (PDF)

Defining your search topic - introduction (video, length 7.03)

Intermediate

Planning and conducting a literature search (PDF)

Defining your search topic - intermediate (video COMING SOON)

Geddes J. Asking structured and focused clinical questions: essential first step of evidence-based practice. Evidence-Based Mental Health. 1999;2:35-36.
Useful summary of constructing searchable questions using the PICO framework.

Advanced

O'Connor, D. Green, S. Higgins, J.P.T. (eds) Defining the review question and developing criteria for including studies. In: Higgins, J.P.T. Green, S. (eds) Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Version 5.0.1. 2008: chapter 5. Freely available online at www.cochrane-handbook.org or available to borrow in the Library.

2. Choose the resources to search

Introductory

Which database should I search? A guide to the most popular resources (PDF)

Choosing the resources to search - introduction (video, length 8.47)

Corrall CJ, Wyer PC, Zick LS, Bockrath CR. How to find evidence when you need it, part 1: Databases, search programs, and strategies. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2002;39:302-306.

Gallagher PE, Allen TY, Wyer PC. How to find evidence when you need it, part 2: A clinician's guide to MEDLINE: The basics. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2002;39:436-440.

Intermediate

Planning and conducting a literature search (PDF)

Choosing the resources to search - intermediate (video COMING SOON)

Aalai E, Gleghorn C, Webb A, Glover SW. Accessing public health information: a preliminary comparison of CABI's global health database and Medline. Health Information & Libraries Journal. 2009;26(1):56-62.

Woods D, Trewheellar K. Medline and Embase complement each other in literature searches. British Medical Journal. 1998;316:1166.

Finding evidence-based clinical information (PDF)

Finding social science information (PDF)

Finding information from low and middle income countries (PDF)

Finding grey literature (PDF)

Advanced

Lefebvre, C. Manheimer, E. Glanville, J. Searching for studies. In: Higgins, J.P.T. Green, S. (eds) Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Version 5.0.1. 2008: chapter 6. Freely available online at www.cochrane-handbook.org or available to borrow in the Library.

3. Choose your search terms

Introduction

How do I select my search terms? A guide to textwords and subject headings (PDF)

Choosing your search terms - introduction (video, length 5.28)

Intermediate

Choosing your search terms - intermediate (video COMING SOON)

Advanced guides

4. Compile your search strategy and run your search

Introduction

How do I put my search together? A guide to compiling your search strategy (PDF)

Compiling your search strategy - introduction (video COMING SOON)

Intermediate

My search is not finding the information I want. A guide to editing your search (PDF)

How do I save my search? A guide to keeping it up to date (PDF)

Can I run the same search on more than one database? A guide to transferring your search (PDF)

Advanced guides

InterTASC Search Filter Resource

Pienaar E, Grobler L, Busgeeth K, Eisinga A, Siegfried N. Developing a geographic search filter to identify randomised controlled trials in Africa: finding the optimal balance between sensitivity and precision. Health Information & Libraries Journal. 2011;28(3):210-5.

Guides to individual resources

Library catalogue quick guide (PDF), advanced guide (PDF), video demonstrations

OvidSP databases (CAB Abstracts, ECONLIT, EMBASE, Global Health, HMIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PsycEXTRA, Social Policy & Practice)
guides written by Ovid

EBSCO databases (Africa-Wide Information, CINAHL Plus, Green File, LISTA) guides written by EBSCO

Cochrane Library guides written by Wiley

Web of Science guides written by Thomson Reuters

PubMed tutorials and guides are available from the NLM

HEED Online tutorial and user guide