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Request a Literature Search - Eastern Services

Request a Literature Search - Eastern Services

Searching databases for published research can be complicated and very time consuming. If you need to identify the evidence base for any reason (other than for an academic assignment!), our trained expert searchers can do the hard work for you.

We'll search all of the databases relevant to your clinical or research question and send you a report of all the published literature we find. This will mainly be journal paper abstracts (with hyperlinks to make accessing the full text of the article quick and easy) but may include conference abstracts and book chapters if appropriate.

This is a free service to registered members - just scroll down and fill out the form below with as much detail as possible about your search. 

Not a member yet?

We can't do searches to support academic work such as essays or dissertations but if you need help we can give you advice on searching techniques and which resources to use, so please get in touch. We can offer both one-to-one and group sessions, either in person or via Microsoft Teams.

Your details

About your search

Optional

If you have a clinical question, you may be able to define your topic further by using the PICO model:

What sort of search do you require?

The stated timescales are just for guidance. If a search is needed urgently for clinical purposes we will do everything we can to meet your deadline.

Quick search – a search performed on 1 specialty specific database using key subject headings, the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub discovery tool and Google Advanced. This search would be suitable to get a brief overview of the latest developments in your area, for general interest or CPD.

  • With this type of search, you should expect between 5 and 20 journal article or book results.
  • This type of search will usually take at least 1 week.

Intermediate search – a search performed on at least 2 specialty specific databases. This search is appropriate when you need a more detailed search than a quick search, but without the depth of a full search. Examples where this search would be appropriate are to inform a teaching session or presentation, or the preliminary research for a study protocol.

  • With this type of search, you should expect between 20 and 50 journal article or book results.
  • This type of search will usually take at least 2 weeks.

Full search – a search performed on all the relevant databases to your search question, as well as a Google Advanced search for ‘grey literature’ – research published in places other than academic journals such as reports by charities or other non-governmental organisations. This search is suitable is for systematic reviews, literature reviews, business cases, QI projects, service reviews and guideline reviews.

  • With this type of search, you should expect over 50 journal article or book results.
  • This type of search will usually take at least 3 weeks.




Your search results

You will be provided with a report featuring the publication details and abstracts (when available) of the available research evidence in your requested area.

Summary - provides a precis of the research findings and identify more powerful studies in terms of scope and research methodology. A summary will not be possible if there is too much variation between the studies (heterogeneity) or if there are too few returned results.

Synthesis – when possible, will draw together the main strands or themes of the results to inform you of what the research is broadly indicating. A synthesis will also not be possible if there is too much variation between the studies or if there are too few returned results.

We are happy to provide you with a summary or synthesis of your results. However, please note: Summaries and syntheses are very labour intensive for our librarians and will usually add an additional week to the expected timescale, so please only request when necessary.




Get in contact

E-mail: rduh.library-eastern@nhs.net

Phone: 01392 406800

Location:

Exeter Health Library
Level 2 PMS/RILD Building
Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Barrack Road
Exeter
EX2 5DW

See also

Join the Library - Eastern

Search the Library catalogue

Register for Open Athens