Skip to main content

Are you following our SearchSmart series? (#22)

Have you been following the Search Smart series? How are you getting on?

So far we have looked at:

  • Defining your question and breaking it down into constituent parts
  • Identifying your keywords
  • Using database tools such as wildcards and truncation to increase your searching
  • How to combine the different elements of your search using OR, AND and NOT
  • The benefits of using a thesaurus
  • How to focus your search using filters
  • Why you should consider saving your search strategy
  • Where you can find full-text articles

We’ve given you lots of etutorials that you can try to help you develop your skills; and don’t forget that we have training sessions that you can book if you want extra help from our training librarians.

Take a moment to reflect on what you have learnt so far. You can try our Check Your Skills etutorial to check how much you are improving your skills.

icon of Clipboard - check your skills to see if you are improving
Check Your Skills to see if you are improving

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Set up a desktop icon for your NHS Knowledge and Library Hub

 Add your NHS Knowledge and Library Hub to your desktop for quick access and start your searching straight away. Please note:  The URL or link that you need for your Hub is unique to the organisation you work for. The links available for the organisations that the Health Library supports are: University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) : https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=guest&custid=ns124878&groupid=main&profile=hee_eds  North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare : https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=guest&custid=ns128745&groupid=main&profile=hee_eds GPs, GP practice staff and CCG staff in Staffordshire : https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=guest&custid=ns128746&groupid=main&profile=hee_eds The instructions below are for a windows PC. Please go to the HEE Library Service website for any other instructions. Add a desktop short-cut to your NHS Knowledge and Library Hub Right click on...

Login to Library Search – step-by-step instructions for NHS staff

  Library Search is a discovery tool, allowing you to find items within the library collections. You can search Library Search without logging in to view books and ebooks available in our collections. By logging in to your library account on Library Search you can access a range of additional functionality, such as: Viewing details of your library account Submitting a request to hold a book for you Adding items to your e-bookshelf Saving searches Note that for NHS users logging in to Library Search does not give you access to full-text items. As an NHS member of staff you access online resources using your NHS OpenAthens username. Anatomy of a Library Card First let’s take a quick look at the most important components of your library card. Your library card and library card number give you access to print resources as well as library services. They confirm that you are a member of the library. Your name : this will be printed on your card, so you’ll know it’s yours!...

CASP Checklist – complete online and download

You can now complete the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) checklist online, then download and save it. Use the CASP checklists to help you to critically appraise different published research studies. You can now complete the form online, then download and save to your computer. Great for keeping a record of your critical appraisals and to add to your CPD or skills portfolio. screen-shot of an edited CASP checklist