Conducting a successful literature search - Elsevier

1 Conducting a successful literature search : A researcher's guide to tools, terms and techniques Finding high-quality information can be a challenge. Sometimes you need help, but you aren't able to speak directly with an expert. Reference these cards when you need quick support think of this as a Librarian in your back pocket! 1. Keywords, Operators & Filters 2. search Tools 3. Types of literature 4. Evaluate Information 5. Organize Research Conducting a successful literature search : A researcher's guide to tools, terms and techniques 1. Keywords, operators and filters Brainstorm Expand Use Refine keywords your keywords boolean operators your search results These are the main ideas of your Look at the subject headings of the Insert AND, OR, and NOT into your Filters in the database allow you to research question/topic sentence.

2 Materials you find and use those search to broaden or narrow it. narrow a search by year, content type, etc. terms as applicable. For example: Or look up your keywords in a PTSD OR Post Traumatic Stress subject-specific database thesaurus Disorder AND soldiers NOT Navy. to find predefined terms (called controlled vocabulary ). At the library: Consult a liaison librarian or subject specialist. 1. Conducting a successful literature search : A researcher's guide to tools, terms and techniques 2. search tools Select the best tools: Abstract and Full-text database search box on Library catalog Web search engine citation database When you're ready to dive library homepage When looking for items housed When looking for popular and Short descriptions (abstracts) deeper into research, seek out Discover your library's full physically in the library (as well widely-available content, web of research content so you searchable, multidisciplinary catalog to view a wide array of as some electronic items).

3 Searches can return a full range can quickly get up to speed on databases to access the full available research. *Note: Not of sources. *Note: Not all results a topic and determine what breadth and depth of research all databases may be included, will pass research-level scrutiny. content is worth exploring more. in web/PDF formats. so remember to check other databases, as well. Institutional Repository (IR). What other research is available to you? Check your library or website to discover the latest research produced at your institution. *Note: Format may vary from final publication output. At the library: Find research/subject guides online. 2. Conducting a successful literature search : A researcher's guide to tools, terms and techniques 3.

4 Types of literature You should find: A name for other research material such as: Articles Books Data Grey literature Journal Monograph Types of available data: Conference proceeding Patent Written by a researcher or A book on a specialized topic Equations Panels, presentations and Rights to an invention granted scholar for a specific field, Charts and Graphs poster sessions at a conference by an official government reviewed by peer scholars Ebook agency before publication Any book accessible in Chemical Reactions White paper full text online Data Sets Document that often contains Other publication Magazine legislation, outlines future Document not published in Reference work Maps /geographic data Written by a journalist for a trends, or is a call foraction scholarly channels.

5 Such as a mass-market audience A collection of research, on a topic government document , encyclopedia Newspaper Dissertation or thesis Published report or dataset Written by a journalist to Student research papers often inform the public about culminating in a master's happenings in the world degree or PhD. At the library: Get help via email and online chat. 3. Conducting a successful literature search : A researcher's guide to tools, terms and techniques 4. Evaluate information To determine trustworthiness of the material, try the CRAAP test developed by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico1. Currency Accuracy When was the information published How reliable is the information?

6 And is that important to know? Does it lack citations? Relevance Are there spelling errors? How important is the information Purpose to your needs? Is it a well-balanced independent Authority piece of research, or intended to sell a product or idea? Who is the author and what are their credentials? Do they work for a reputable institution? Was the information published in a peer-reviewed journal? At the library: Sign up for a one-to-one research consultation. 4. Conducting a successful literature search : A researcher's guide to tools, terms and techniques 5. Organize research Save materials such as article PDFs into a document library and/or download the citation information Citation Manager / Reference Citation Manager / Document Library The act of explaining the source of the information found during the course of your research.

7 Citation is An online tool or desktop software used to organize and a mandatory scholarly practice that gives credit and store citations and full-text articles or other documents, helps prevent plagiarism Citations may be used in create bibliographies, insert in-text citations into a paper, bibliographies, footnotes and within the body of your and share references with research partners. text. Common citation formats are APA, MLA and Chicago style. Example: Crystal Renfro, The Use of Visual Tools in the Academic Research Process: A literature Review, The Journal of Academic Librarianship, Volume 43, Issue 2, March 2017, Pages 95-99, ISSN 0099-1333, At the library: Take an information skills workshop.

8 5. Elsevier We're a global information analytics business specializing in science and health, combining content with technology, supported by operational efficiency, to turn information into actionable knowledge. We help institutions and professionals progress science, advance healthcare and improve performance. Learn More Visit us at: for more information. Brought to you by Katy Kavanagh Webb, Research and Instructional Services Librarian and Elsevier 's Library Connect. Copyright 2018 Elsevier April 2018.