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What Makes A Good Literature Search?

This document provides guidelines for conducting a thorough literature search, including using a clear search strategy, exploring a wide range of relevant databases and sources, employing a variety of search terms, using advanced search techniques, ensuring all relevant aspects of the topic are covered, and accurately recording references. It emphasizes having a well-defined search scope and rationale, breaking topics into concepts, examining results for relevance, and confirming any gaps found. The checklist was adapted from one produced by Rosalind McNally.

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Alejandro José Poveda Guevara
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50 views1 page

What Makes A Good Literature Search?

This document provides guidelines for conducting a thorough literature search, including using a clear search strategy, exploring a wide range of relevant databases and sources, employing a variety of search terms, using advanced search techniques, ensuring all relevant aspects of the topic are covered, and accurately recording references. It emphasizes having a well-defined search scope and rationale, breaking topics into concepts, examining results for relevance, and confirming any gaps found. The checklist was adapted from one produced by Rosalind McNally.

Uploaded by

Alejandro José Poveda Guevara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Information skills for researchers: Advanced search techniques 1

What makes a good literature search?

There is a clear description of the topic and the search strategy used
An explanation of the scope of the literature search with a clear understanding of the
implications for searching
Search topic broken down into main facets or concepts
Rationale for the approach to searching and techniques used
Explanation of decisions taken during search process.
Results examined for relevance and revised as required
Keep a record of each search

A wide range of relevant databases and sources of information explored


Attempt to use a wide range of potentially relevant sources

A wide range of relevant search terms employed


Appropriate use of synonyms
Wide range of terms
Imaginative use of synonyms
Effective use of thesauri/controlled vocabulary if available
Effective use of keyword index if available

Use of full range of appropriate search techniques


Wide range of search operations
Correct use of truncation and wildcards
Limiting searches by field, if appropriate
Taking into account alternative spellings
Using Boolean operators effectively

Relevant references found covering all aspects of the topic or


identification of gaps in evidence
If a gap is suspected, has a systematic approach been taken to confirm this?
Discussion with your supervisor
Contacting key organisations and experts
Searching for unpublished and grey literature
Research being carried out currently that hasnt been published yet

References recorded accurately and consistently


Consistent use of appropriate citation methods and referencing styles
OU style, Harvard, Vancouver or as specified by your course/supervisor

Acknowledgement
This checklist has been adapted from What make a good literature search, a checklist
produced by Rosalind McNally of the National Primary Care Research and Development
Centre, University of Manchester.

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