Extensive online resources on how to search the literature
Individual search tutorials for SVHM staff (login required):
Please keep in mind that these tutorials are designed to teach you generic literature searching skills. With the exception of co-authorship, library staff do not design final search strategies for a systematic review which takes considerably longer to refine. Contact us to book a tutorial or find out more.
Perfect your search in Ovid Medline first
Translate your Medline search strategy into other databases
Record your methods as you go
Don't read all the results every time you search a database - get rid of duplicates first
Image by Helen Wilding
Can librarians approve search strategies for a systematic review?
With the exception of our limited co-authorship service, library staff are unable to develop or approve search strategies for systematic reviews. This is because development of a structured search strategy for a systematic review is time intensive and involves a large commitment. It generally requires:
What feedback can librarians provide on search strategies?
Research librarians can be booked for:
These consultations can cover:
Please note that this feedback will be verbal. Due to time constraints we cannot provide written feedback on search strategies.
What feedback can't librarians provide?
Without doing our own background research into your topic we cannot tell you if:
Carl de Gruchy Library, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
Helen.Wilding@svha.org.au
Literature Searching, Systematic Reviews, Mental Health liaison
Thursdays, Fridays & alternate Wednesdays
Helen's profile | Researchgate | Orcid