Literature Searches

The library can conduct literature searches for library members, if you cannot access the databases you need or have insufficient time to do your own search. This service is primarily available for clinical need and work-related research. It is not available to students, although help in searching databases will be offered.

The literature searching service is free to OHFT staff. Charges apply for other library users. For details of these, contact us.

Clare Edwards, Dominic Gilroy & Jacque Mallender (2022) Evidence Searches Undertaken by Knowledge and Library Specialists Save the Time of Health Care Professionals and Produce an Economic Benefit to the NHS in England, Journal of Hospital Librarianship, 22:4, 284-298, DOI: 10.1080/15323269.2022.2124772

If you would like the library to conduct a literature search for you, go to the bottom of this page and complete the form as indicated.

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Self-help guides and Information skills training opportunities

We’ve compiled a list of useful tools below which can help you improve your literature searching skills including the NEW STEPS e learning modules developed by librarians for NHS staff and students.

Literature Searching Protocols/Search strategy

• Literature Searching Protocols 2019
  Click here to read
  Literature Searching Protocols 2019 Appendix 
  Click here to read
    
• OHFT Libraries Search Strategy Template
  Click here to read
   
• OHFT Libraries Search Record Template
  Click here to read
   
• Advanced lit searching video

STEPS e learning for health care literature searching modules

• Literature Searching STEPS modules: https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/literature-searching/                              These e learning modules are designed to help the healthcare workforce (clinical and non-clinical) build confidence to search published literature for articles and evidence relevant to their work, study and research. The modules are short (each taking no more than 20 minutes to complete) and may be ‘dipped into’ for reference, or completed to obtain a certificate. There are modules suitable for novice searchers and those wishing to refresh their knowledge:
• Module 1  Introduction to searching
• Module 2   Where do I start searching?
• Module 3  How do I start to develop a search strategy?
• Module 4   Too many results? How to narrow your search
• Module 5   Too few results? How to broaden your search
• Module 6   Searching with subject headings
• Module 7   Searching the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub and bibliographic databases
• The following animations are available to help you apply OR/AND in your searches. 

               Full length animation OR/AND

Short animation OR

Short animation AND

National searching guidance

• National  Searching Guidance    Version 1.3 May 2024

Self-Study Guides

• Self-Study Guides

You can also contact one of our Outreach Librarians to discuss your training needs and request support:

Training by OHFT Librarians

• Training Courses: available on demand and by arrangement to assist with planning and carrying out literature searches.

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To request a search complete the online form or download it from link below, and send to the library:

Literature search request form

Download Now!