Systematic literature searching Information skills for PhD students: 2 Jane Falconer Improving health worldwidewww.lshtm.ac.uk

Aims & Objectives Edit and refine searches; Search across multiple resources; Use alternative search options, including citation searching; Save searches and keep up to date; Find the full text of items not available at LSHTM; Keep accurate records of searches; Keep within copyright, data protection, research data management and intellectual property restrictions. This class builds on the information covered in the first class and links advanced techniques into the 6 steps to an effective literature search. It covers how to:

Six steps to an effective literature search: 1. Scoping your search topic 2. Choosing the resources to search 3. Choosing your search terms 4. Compiling your search strategy and running your search 5. Finding the full text 6 Managing your information

Are you looking in the right place? Are you using all of the relevant search terms? Have you used the Boolean Operators correctly? Can you simplify your question to include less concepts? I can’t find any information Are you sure there is any information out there to find?

Are your search terms finding irrelevant results? Have you added limits? Can you split your search into smaller ‘chunks’? Can you narrow your search concepts? I have found too much information Some topics have LOTS of information and there is little you can do about it

Have you searched all relevant resources? Have you included all relevant search terms? Is your search syntax correct? Can you ask experts in the field for details of additional information? I think I might have missed some information Remember to leave enough time to complete all of your searching

Search filters Compiled by InterTASC Tested search strategies to find specific study methodologies Often tested on multiple databases Used in conjunction with subject search Run subject search and search filter then use AND to combine together

Do NOT... Search for items authored by specific people Search for items published in specific publications Search for items published by a known institution or research group This will introduce bias into your search results and could impact the reliability of your subsequent research. This is particularly important if you are conducting a systematic review.

Transferring your search – subject headings MEDLINEAlcohol drinking EMBASEAlcohol consumption Global HealthAlcohol intake PsycINFOAlcohol drinking patterns IBSSNo appropriate term Subject heading terms for alcohol consumption in a selection of relevant databases

Transferring your search - syntax Boolean operators Truncation & wildcards Phrases Proximity searching Limits on length or complexity

Relevant article Citing references Cited references Citation searching Older articles Newer articles Can be done in 3 databases: - Web of Science - SCOPUS - Biosis Citation Index

Can I use another library?

Senate House SOAS Institute of Education UCL Science Library Birkbeck UCL Main Library UCL Cruciform Library Kings Fund BMA British Library LSE

Databases from other Libraries British Library Databases on a variety of subject areas LSE Databases on economics, social policy, psychology, anthropology Senate House Library Databases on social sciences UCL Databases on a variety of subject areas Check access requirements before you travel

Open Access Training available via TSP, date to be confirmed

1. Scoping your search topic 2. Choosing the resources to search 3. Choosing your search terms 4. Compiling your search strategy and running your search 5. Finding the full text 6 Managing your information

Run search in resource 1 Export ALL results to EndNote Run search in resource 2 Export ALL results to EndNote De-duplicate against previous results Run search in resource 3 Export ALL results to EndNote De-duplicate against previous results Apply inclusion & exclusion criteria Deduplicating using EndNote

Keeping notes of your search activities

Keeping up to date Photo by joseph a Reproduced under a creative commons licence

Research data management Photo by Open Data Institute Reproduced under a creative commons licence

Data management can help you to achieve your research goals I wish to: find data quicklylabelling & organising my files avoid giving out personal information by keeping it in a secure area that only I can access by avoid data loss creating backups at regular intervals by Ensure my data can be understood by colleagues Document the context in which it was created and the meaning of each variable by I wish to:

By taking steps to manage your data, you can: “Data produced during the research activity should be managed appropriately, ensuring that it is stored, organised and documented in a manner that allows it to be understood and used for the intended purpose.” LSHTM Research Degrees Handbook Ensure your data will be suitable for analysis Anticipate problems and reduce likelihood they will occur Save time and effort Communicate objectives to your supervisor Recognise support needs Address research obligations & requirements

Further Information Guidance & tutorials on: Data Management Plans File formats and software Data storage & security Data labelling and organisation Documentation & metadata Data sharing & citation

Getting more help Photo by Mark Hillary Reproduced under a creative commons license

Jane Falconer Improving health worldwidewww.lshtm.ac.uk