Library news

The library is pleased to offer a series of ten half hour online workshops on systematically searching the literature for conducting scoping, systematic and other types of review. They will run from 12:30-1:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 14th November to 14th December. 

They are aimed at HDRs and supervisors, however they are open to any staff who are interested and would like to learn more about how to search in a systematic, replicable way. You do not need to be currently conducting a review to benefit from these workshops, as example research questions will be used for the activities. 

You will need to register for each of the workshops that you are interested in attending individually via the REDI calendar. They will be recorded, however due to the activity-based approach participants will gain more from attending the live workshop. 

Click on the title of each workshop to go to the registration page on the REDI calendar. 

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Choosing a framework and developing concepts and keywords: November 14, 12:30-1:00pm

Search frameworks help structure searches for reviews and are one of the first steps in developing the search strategy. This session includes: 

• Choosing an appropriate framework for the type of review  

• Using frameworks to identify the key concepts in the research question  

• Developing keywords for each concept 

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Using seed papers to develop more keywords: November 16, 12:30-1:00pm 

Known articles (or seed papers) that are relevant to the review topic are a useful way of finding additional keywords. This session includes: 

• Finding seed papers about the review topic 

• Using them to find extra keywords 

• Some online tools to find and make use of seed papers 

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Finding subject headings and more keywords: November 21, 12:30-1:00pm

Subject headings are important to include in a search strategy for a review to make sure it is a comprehensive search, and they can also identify additional key words. This session includes:  

• What subject headings are  

• Finding them in different databases 

• Using them to find additional keywords 

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Combining terms and using advanced operators: November 23, 12:30-1:00pm  

Search terms need to be combined correctly to give relevant and comprehensive results, and advanced search operators will also be useful. This session includes: 

• Using Boolean operators to combine search terms 

• Using field codes correctly  

• Using advanced search operators 

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Searching a key database to test the search strategy: November 28, 12:30-1:00pm   

When the search strategy has been developed, it needs to be tested on a key database to ensure it works. This session includes: 

• Entering the search strategy into a key database 

• Using limits 

• Troubleshooting problems with the search strategy and results 

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Evaluating the search strategy: November 30, 12:30-1:00pm

The search strategy should be evaluated before conducting the final search to make sure it is comprehensive and gives relevant results. This session includes: 

• Using the PRESS (Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies) checklist to appraise the search strategy 

• Using seed papers to appraise the results 

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Translating the search for other databases: December 5, 12:30-1:00pm 

Each database uses different subject headings, field codes and advanced operators. These will need to be altered in the search strategy for it to work correctly in each database. This session includes: 

• How the databases differ 

• Tools to translate the search strategy from one database to another 

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Finding grey literature: December 7, 12:30-1:00pm

It is increasingly common to include grey literature in reviews, but it can be challenging to find. This session includes: 

• What is grey literature and why include it 

• Finding grey literature in different sources 

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Citation tracking of included articles: December 12, 12:30-1:00pm

When the screening of the results has been completed, and the included articles are selected, their references and newer articles that cite them need to be identified to determine if they meet the inclusion criteria. This session includes:  

• Why citations of included papers need to be identified 

• Using some online citation tracking tools to make this easy 

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Reporting the search using PRISMA: December 14, 12:30-1:00pm 

The search needs to be described in your review to ensure it is replicable and it makes up the beginning of the flow chart that documents the search and screening process. This session includes: 

• Guidelines for reporting the search 

• Documenting the information that needs to be included 

• Creating the beginning of the PRISMA flowchart 

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Please contact the library or Erin Roga with any further questions about these workshops.