Literature Searches
The Library can help you find high quality evidence-based information to support patient care, clinical practice, quality and service improvement, policy development, research and study projects and grant applications.
For work related requests our librarians can conduct a literature search on your behalf, saving you time. If you are undertaking the search as part of your studies, we can help you develop an effective search strategy and provide training in how to search the literature.
Eligibility
The Library provides literature search services to:
- Canberra Health Services (CHS) staff
- Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) staff
- ANU medical students*
- Students on placement at CHS or HCSD*.
*Students are encouraged to contact their education provider's library for assistance with literature searches for assignments. The Library supports the work of CHS and HCSD and will offer enough support to get you started, if your assignment relates to your work at CHS or HCSD.
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.
Levels of Service
- Patient Care: 3-10 business days
- Clinical Practice: 5-10 business days
- Quality Improvement / Service Improvement: 5-10 business days
- Policy Development: 5-10 business days
- Guideline Development: 5-10 business days
- Research/Study Project: 10-30 business days
- Systematic/Scoping Review: contact the Library.
Supply
Results from the search can be provided in a range of formats:
- Word document with links to the searches and a reference list of selected articles from the searches
- RIS file suitable for uploading to
- EndNote Library for import
- Spreadsheet with the search strategy for each database searched.. Please note we do not provide the full-text of the articles. If the reference list contains an article not held by the Library, please complete the Article/Book Request form.
Urgent Requests
If your literature search is needed urgently, please contact our Librarians to discuss how we can support you.
Systematic and Scoping Review Searches
The Library's involvement in the systematic review /scoping 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
- Translation of the search across databases
- Providing references in bibliographic software
- Writing the search methods section of the paper
- Updating the search.
Contact our Librarians to discuss how we can support you.
Acknowledgement
Acknowledgement of the literature search would be appreciated in resulting publications or presentations.
Acknowledgement: Literature searching [Name], Librarian, Canberra Health Services Library and Multimedia.
Please note: We do not perform searches for assessment tasks (related to university, fellowships or other post-secondary educational institutions), but we can offer skill building support to get you started. We encourage you to avail yourself of training opportunities provided by your educational institution.
More information
For more information or assistance requesting searches, contact our Librarians.