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Need help with your literature search?

 Do you need to answer a question? 

When you need an answer to a healthcare question you need to find out what information already exists about it; so that you have the background information and latest research. Whether it is for an assignment, dissertation, research, audit or other work you need to complete a literature search to get the latest information and best evidence to answer your question. 

Complete a literature search plan 

How do you start your literature search? Start with a plan. Make a literature search plan to help you to focus your search, be systematic and keep a record in case you want to repeat it. 

How can the Health Library help you? 

Information Skills etutorials 

Develop your information searching skills by completing our short, engaging etutorials. Read presentations, complete quizzes and watch videos to learn the essential skills to finding information efficiently and effectively. 

Start off with our Introduction to Literature Searching etutorial. You’ll learn about the key steps to follow and get your own plan at the end. 

Here’s a quick overview of the skills you’ll develop: 


Training courses 

If you need more help, then book on a training course with one of our librarians. You can attend in person or online and join a group session or arrange a personalised, 1-to-1 session. Our experienced librarians will help you to create your plan and show you our popular databases. 

Literature Search Service 

NHS staff who struggle to find the time to complete their own literature searching can ask the library to do it for them! Our knowledgable literature searching team can complete a search on your behalf. You’ll get a report of articles matching your search criteria. 

Access Resources 

Are you ready to run your search? We list all the major resources that we subscribe to on our website. You’ll find links to the essential, specialist databases that you need. 

More help 

If you need any help finding or accessing information, please contact the Health Library for more support. 

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