how to conduct a literature search
DESCRIPTION
Faculty development session given at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario on Jan 19, 2010TRANSCRIPT
![Page 2: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
What’s a Research Lit Review?
A research literature review is a systematic, explicit and reproducible method for identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing the existing body of
completed and recorded work produced by researchers, scholars, and practitioners.*
*Fink, A. (2005). Conducting Research Literature Reviews. London: Sage.
![Page 3: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Why would you have to conduct one?
• For your thesis• For your work as a research assistant• For a funding proposal or grant application• For your academic work as a faculty member• For your work as a professional researcher
![Page 4: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
7 tasks in the Research Lit Review
1. Selecting research questions2. Selecting your sources3. Choosing search terms4. Running your search5. Applying practical screening criteria6. Applying methodological screening criteria7. Synthesizing the results
![Page 5: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Selecting research questions
![Page 6: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Why do I need a research question?
• To guide your review• To provide you with keywords for your search• To give your research precision
![Page 7: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Scenario
You’re applying for a grant to support your research on hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Think of some specific questions related to this topic...
![Page 8: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
QuestionsBroad:• What is the prevalence of hypertension in patients with
diabetes mellitus?
Narrow:• Does ambulatory BP readings improve detection rates for
hypertension in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus?
Very Narrow:• What are the attitudes of general practitioners in Southern
Ontario to the use of ambulatory BP readings for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus?
![Page 9: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
How questions influence search results
Relevancy
Retrieval(# of search results)
Broad Questions
Narrow Questions
High = lots of articles
Low = very few articles
High = directly relevant articles
Low = mostly irrelevant articles
![Page 10: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
QuestionsBroad:• What is the prevalence of hypertension in patients with
diabetes mellitus?
Narrow:• Does ambulatory BP readings improve detection rates for
hypertension in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus?
Very Narrow:• What are the attitudes of general practitioners in Southern
Ontario to the use of ambulatory BP readings for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus?
![Page 11: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Selecting your sources
![Page 12: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Lit reviews depend on data from seven sources
1. Online public bibliographic databases (i.e., MEDLINE)
2. Private bibliographic databases (i.e., EMBASE)3. Specialized bibliographic databases (i.e.,
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)4. Manual or “hand searches” of references lists5. “Grey literature” (i.e., conference proceedings)6. Web reports7. Experts
![Page 13: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
To find databases...
1. Try program pages from the library: www.lib.uwo.ca/programs/
2. Consult your librarian:www.lib.uwo.ca/contact/instruction
![Page 14: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Selecting sources
Where are we likely to find articles that answer the question: Does ambulatory BP readings improve detection rates for hypertension in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus?
![Page 15: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Some places to search Bibliographic Databases• Medicine
– PubMed (or Ovid MEDLINE), EMBASE, Cochrane Library
• Multidisciplinary– Scopus– Web of Science
• Nursing and Allied Health– CINAHL
Websites• Associations, Organizations & Government
– WHO, American Diabetes Association, Canadian Diabetes Association, Health Canada, Public Health Agency Canada etc...
Other• “Grey Literature”
– ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, conference proceedings (i.e., AMA), etc...
![Page 16: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Choosing search terms
![Page 17: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Breaking down your question
1. Select your database2. Break you question into concepts3. Identify subject headings for each concept4. Identify keywords for each concept
• Tips: – Use a “target article” to help identify search terms– Use a concept map to keep track of your terms
![Page 18: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Why do I have to select a database first?
Your database will determine:1. Your subject headings2. Your operators (i.e., truncation symbols)
![Page 19: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Different databases have different subject headings
• Tips:– Complete a concept map for each database that you search– Select subject headings that are the closest match for your concept
(remember: systematic, explicit and reproducible)– Pay attention to “explode” commands – some databases will search related
headings by default, others will not
Database Subject Headings
Medline MeSH
EMBASE EMTREE
CINAHL CINAHL Headings
Cochrane Library MeSH
Web of Science N/A
Scopus N/A
![Page 20: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Identifying concepts
Which concepts are contained in the question: Does ambulatory BP readings improve detection rates for hypertension in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus?
1.Hypertension2.Diabetes Mellitus, Type 13.Ambulatory blood pressure readings
![Page 21: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Concept #1
Ovid MEDLINE search terms
Concept #2 Concept #3
Subject Headings
Keywords
AND AND
OR
Hypertension [MeSH]+ Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 [MeSH]+ Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory [MeSH]
OR
OR
OR
OR
Hypertensi$.mp. (Diabetes mellitus adj5 (type 1 OR insulin?dependent OR juvenile?onset OR sudden?onset)).mp.
((blood pressure OR BP) adj2 (monitor$ OR test$) adj5 (home OR self OR ambulatory)).mp.
OR
((high OR elevated) adj2 (blood pressure OR BP)).mp.
Iddm.mp.
OR
OR
![Page 22: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Some key operators in OvidOperator Command
$ Truncation (finds alternate endings)
? Wildcard (finds alternate spellings)
.mp. Mapping Alias (tells Ovid to search for your term in the Title, Abstract, Subject Headings, Table of Contents and Key Phrase Identifier fields) – useful for lit. reviews because it is broad
() Parentheses control the order of search operations
Adj Adjacency operator (can be followed by a number) tells Ovid terms must appear adjacent to one another
AND all terms must appear in results
OR any terms will appear in results
Note: These are recommended operators for research lit reviews. There are many, many more operators... Use Ovid‘s Help menu to locate them.
![Page 23: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Running your search
![Page 24: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Running your search(es)• Start with your first concept
– Search for the subject headings first– Then search keywords– Combine these synonymous searches with OR using
your search history
• Repeat for your second, third, and subsequent concepts
• Finally, combine large search results set with AND
![Page 25: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Running your search(es)
Search #2 =
Search #3 =
Search #4 =
Search #5 = #1 OR #2 OR #3 OR #4
Search #1 =
Concept 1
Search #6 =
Search #7 =
Search #8 =
Search #9 =
Concept 2
Search #10 = #6 OR #7 OR #8 OR #9
Search #11 = #5 AND #10
Results
![Page 26: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Please complete the following search in Ovid Medline
AND AND
OR
Hypertension [MeSH]+ Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 [MeSH]+ Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory [MeSH]
OR
OR
Hypertensi$.mp. (Diabetes mellitus adj5 (type 1 OR insulin?dependent OR juvenile?onset OR sudden?onset)).mp.
((blood pressure OR BP) adj2 (monitor$ OR test$) adj5 (home OR self OR ambulatory)).mp.
OR
((high OR elevated) adj2 (blood pressure OR BP)).mp.
Iddm.mp.
![Page 27: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Applying practical & methodological screening criteria
![Page 28: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Screening
• Two kinds: practical and methodological • Why?
– Use practical screening to identify a broad range of potentially useful studies
– Use methodological screening to identify the best available studies
![Page 29: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Practical Screening Criteria – some examples
1. Date of publication – only studies conducted between 2005 and 2010
2. Participants of subjects – only children 6 to 12 years of age
3. Publication language – only materials written in English
4. Research design – only clinical trials
![Page 30: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Methodological Screening Criteria - some questions to ask
• Is the study’s research design internally & externally valid?
• Are the data sources used in the study reliable & valid?
• Are the analytic methods appropriate? • Are the results meaningful in practical &
statistical terms?* *Fink, A. (2005). Conducting Research Literature Reviews. London: Sage.
![Page 31: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Applying Screens (or limits)
• Apply practical screens by using “limits” (may also be called “search options”)
• Apply methodological screens by reading through the articles
![Page 32: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Apply Practical Screens
• Add the following limits to your combined search result set: – English Language– Publication Year: 2005 - Current
![Page 33: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Next steps
![Page 34: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Moving to another source
• Retain as much of your original strategy as possible
• Recognize that subject headings will be different (or non-existent)
• Keep track of your search terms using a new concept map
![Page 35: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Hand searching and final steps
• Locate the reference lists for selected articles*• Identify new articles that have cited your
articles*• Identify key journals and “hand search” their
issues• Test your search strategy by checking to see if a
few “target articles” appear in the results
* Use Web of Science or Scopus
![Page 36: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Working with your results
• Export search results from each database or website into a citation manager (i.e., RefWorks)
• Remove duplicates• Remove inappropriate studies by applying
methodological screens
![Page 37: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
Synthesizing the results
![Page 38: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Use your results to...
1. Describe current knowledge about your research topic
2. Support the need for and significance of new research
3. Explain research findings4. Describe the quality of a body of research*
*Fink, A. (2005). Conducting Research Literature Reviews. London: Sage.
![Page 39: How to Conduct a Literature Search](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062303/554b50ceb4c905793d8b4784/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Recap• Remember... research lit review is: systematic, explicit and reproducible• Select appropriate research question• Identify appropriate databases• Break your question into concepts• Identify synonyms and subject headings for each concept • Combine synonym searches with OR • Combine concept searches with AND• Apply practical and methodological screens• Send search results to a citation manager• Remove duplicates• Use your lit review to summarize knowledge, assess research and
support new research initiatives