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Introduction to literature searching

Selina Lock & Helen SteeleResearch Information AdvisorsDavid Wilson Library

Adapted, with permission, from materials created by Loughborough University

Sources of research information – what do you expect to use?

In pairs, please discuss:• The different types of publications, or sources of research information, that are most important for research in your subject area?

Why is literature searching important?

Searching

Please complete the ‘Finding information questionnaire’

Possible search strategies:

• Serendipity

• Recommendation

• Following references

• Citation searching

• Keyword searching

• Systematic reviews

• Alerts

Planning a keyword search strategy

1. Define your topic

2. Keywords & how to combine

them

3. Identify limits and

scope

4. Types of publication

5. Where to search

6. Searching(Conducting your lit

search)

8. Choosing what to read

(Critical Reading)

9. Managing your

references(Bibliographic software)

7. Evaluating & refining(Conducting your lit

search)

How to select databases to search… My subject page/s. Recommendations from supervisor &

peers. Check database page for information on

what the database covers. Do a trial search to see if it bring back

useful results.

Further Help• The library’s Research Services team are

available to help• E: libstem@le.ac.uk (Science & Medicine)• E: liblass@le.ac.uk (Arts & Social Sciences)

– Visit the Graduate School Reading Room on weekday afternoons, 2-4pm

• Planning your literature search (1 hr)

• Conducting your literature search (1 hr)