The Library Team offer a variety of one-to-one sessions to help equip you with the skills needed to perform an efficient literature search.
We break these up into bite-sized pieces to fit in with your free time, however we are happy to tailor all sessions to your skills and requirements.
The time indicated for each session is just a guide as we are happy to accommodate your particular needs.
Please contact us if you would like to book some time with one of us.
Assisted searching (introduction)
NB: If you are already familiar with some of the techniques required for searching and would like a more condensed searching session then please ask as we can adapt to your needs.
We can also offer training in line with the above sessions to be delivered to groups of staff, for example during peer support/departmental meetings. If this approach would be of interest then please email the Library to discuss your requirements.
Before you start
Registering for an OpenAthens password and familiarisation with the resources available when using this, such as the electronic resources on the Library Blog, the e-LfH searching modules and more.
Time to allow: 30mins-1hr
Simple searching guidance
Learn about searching for topics and scoping for information before you decide what you are going to research in detail.
Time to allow: 30mins-1hr
Framing the question
How to create a well thought out question before you start to search the Healthcare Databases.
Time to allow: 30mins-1hr
Assisted searching (introduction)
This offers help on how to search the Healthcare Databases in a systematic way using Boolean operators and free text.
Time to allow: 2hrs
Assisted searching (advanced)
This builds on the previous session to familiarise you with more advanced searching techniques such as using controlled vocabulary, truncation’s, limits etc.
Time to allow: 2hrs
Assessing your results
The session aims to give you a basic understanding of how to analyse the quality of your search results and will guide you through some of the tools and techniques available to appraise them.
Time to allow: 2hrs
Referencing
This session provides guidance on the tools and resources available to help with referencing, alongside individualised help to make sure that the referencing in your work complies with the required standards.
Time to allow: 1hr
Health Literacy
This session aims to give you an understanding of what health literacy is and why it is important, including tools and techniques that can be used to aid and support someone who has low health literacy.
Time to allow: 1hr-2hrs
