Literature Searches
Literature searches are conducted to find information to support patient care, write a guideline, procedure, policy or grant proposal, for quality improvement projects, research and professional development.
Eligibility
The Library provides literature search services to:
- Canberra Health Services (CHS) staff
- ACT Health Directorate (ACTHD) staff
- ANU medical students*
- Students on placement at CHS or ACTHD*.
*Students are encouraged to contact their education provider's library for assistance with literature searches for assignments. The Library supports the work of Canberra Health Services and ACT Health and will offer enough support to get you started, if your assignment relates to your work at CHS or ACT Health.
Public members of the Library are eligible for this service. A fee applies.
Requesting a search
If you need a literature search on any work-related topic, please complete the request form.
Supply
You will be provided with a list of references (not the articles themselves). Select the titles that interest you and use Library Search to find, download or print any full-text article. If the reference list contains an article not held by the Library, please complete the Document Supply request form.
Urgent Requests
Literature Searches to support clinical care are given priority. If your search is needed urgently for another purpose please contact our Librarians to discuss how we can support you.
Advanced Searching
The Library offers an expanded Consultancy service to CHS and ACTHD staff.
The Library provides tiered support for staff conducting systematic reviews. The Library's Consultancy service can assist in the design and management of complex, thorough searches in multiple databases.
The Library's involvement in the systematic review process may include:
- Advice on defining the question/scope
- Identifying appropriate sources to search
- Assistance in developing a search strategy
- Designing and/or running search strategies
- Providing references in bibliographic software
- Updating the search.
Searching to support the product of a systematic review is a complex and time consuming process that can vary from hours to days, depending on the topic. Contact our Librarians to discuss how we can support you.
PRISMA
The Library provides search strategies and results in line with the 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Please see the following links for further information on the PRISMA statement:
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA StatementThe Library provides search strategies and results in line with the 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. For further information see the PRISMA website.
Grant Proposals
Contact our Librarians to discuss how we can contribute to your project by performing literature searches and assisting with other information management activities.
More information
For more information or assistance requesting searches, contact our Librarians.