Literature Searching: follow these steps to save time and plan your literature search

 Want to get the best evidence quickly? Need to get the right information and latest research to write great assignments?

Make sure you plan your literature search to get the best information efficiently.

Key steps

Follow these key steps to save time.

1. Take time to prepare your search plan
2. Analyse your question to focus your search
3. Develop your search skills and learn to combine searches and use a thesaurus
4. Make sure you use the right resources to get to the best information for your question
5. Evaluate your search results for good quality evidence
6. Use information ethically to avoid plagiarism
7. Learn about different ways to communicate your work
8. Stay up-to-date with new information during your project

Good quality resources

Use good quality resources. Our library services subscribe to healthcare focused resources including books, ebooks, journals and databases. These will help you to find good quality information. Take a look at our resources pages to access these essential reosurces:

• Nursing and Midwifery databases for Keele students
• Medical databases for Keele students
• NHS resources for NHS staff

More help

The Health Library is here to help you! To learn more about literature searching you can:

• Complete one of our online tutorials to start to develop your skills. Start with an Introduction to Literature Searching.
• Sign-up for one of our training sessions. We deliver group, individual, face-to-face and online training. We focus on literature searching and resources. Check out the Keele courses and book your place. Or take a look at our NHS-based training and sign-up for a session.

Just get in touch with us if you have any queries or need more help.