vet2703 literature searching 2017

Literature Searching VET2703 January 2017

© Middlesex University

What will we be doing today?• Evaluating a good and a not-so-good search

strategy

• Refreshing your search skills with Summon

• Exploring some specialist sources for finding journal articles

• Identifying primary and secondary research

VET2703 | 2


Doing a literature review• Aim is to comprehensively review what is known

(published) on a subject – the “evidence base”

• Can be the starting point for further research – “sets the scene” – and/or application to practice

• Two parts: • Thorough literature search

• Critical analysis of the findings

• For this module: 3000 word research/dissertation proposal including 2000 word literature review

VET2703 | 3


Activity 1 – Search Strategies

• In pairs, look at the two search strategies you have been given.

• Think about the strengths and weaknesses of each strategy – which do you think is better, and why?

5 minutes

VET2703 | 4


Search StrategyA search strategy aims to identify as many as possible relevant research papers that meet the criteria of the review question.

This should include:• The specific search terms (keywords) used• The names of the databases searched• The date(s) of the search• Any grey literature searched (e.g. research published by

charities, universities, professional organisations and conference papers)

• Any other forms of searching (such as following up references, personal correspondence)

• The inclusion/exclusion criteria used in the search

VET2703 | 5


Activity 2 – Searching

“Veterinary practices in the UK are seeing increasing numbers of overweight dogs with associated health issues such as diabetes and joint problems. Research has identified a number of risk factors for canine obesity including frequency of treats and insufficient exercise (Holmes et al., 2007; Courcier et al., 2010).

What evidence is there for the most effective ways of preventing and/or managing obesity in dogs?”

Carry out a search on Summon for articles related to this topic.

VET2703 | 6


How did it go?

VET2703 | 7


Planning your search: the PICO model

• Patient / population / problem• Intervention• Comparison• Outcome

VET2703 | 8


Brainstorm – Canine obesity

Canines• Dogs• Ages?• Breeds?

Obesity

• Obese• Overweight• Weight management• Weight loss• Healthy weight• Related conditions, e.g.

diabetes, osteoarthritis

Prevention / management

• Diet• Nutrition• Food / feeding• Exercise• Attitudes (owners,

professionals)• Education / advice

VET2703 | 9

What is the role of the veterinary nurse in prevention and management of canine obesity?


For any question…• Select the important keywords, related concepts

or ideas within your question;• Think of possible synonyms e.g. equine or

horses;• Carry out searches for your keywords – rather

than the whole question at once• Combine searches on the same or similar

subjects with OR - e.g. spaying OR ovariohysterectomy

• Combine searches on different subjects using AND - e.g. diabetes AND cats

VET2703 | 10


Beyond Summon – other places to search• Databases (MyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Databases)

— Medline / PubMed

— Science Direct

— InterNurse / CINAHL / British Nursing Index for nursing topics (e.g. theories, models, care planning…)

• Google Scholar

• Individual journals specific to your topic

VET2703 | 11


Activity 3: try your search on a different database

Looking at your search results:• How many results do you get? (Compare with the other

databases)• What kind of articles are they?• Are your results from a range of journals?• Can you refine your results further?

VET2703 | 12


Google Scholar – useful features

VET2703 | 13

Articles that have

referenced this one

The same article on other websites –

sometimes good for getting full text

Full text from Middlesex and other sources

BUT…• Limited ability to combine different keywords• Older articles can appear first in results – use the date limits!


Activity 4: Primary or Secondary?

• In your groups, look at the ABSTRACTS and/or first pages of the articles

• Is it primary or secondary research?• How can you tell?

VET2703 | 14


Distinguishing between primary and secondary sources• Primary sources - original research written up and

published by the researchers in peer-reviewed journals

— The title may mention the type of research e.g. ‘a qualitative study’

— Includes sections such as methods, results, discussion

• Secondary sources – work that summarises, critiques or reviews primary research

— e.g. A literature review, a systematic review

VET2703 | 15


Critiquing research – why?• Part of your literature review!• Analysing research to judge its trustworthiness, validity

and relevance in a particular context• As practitioners it ensures that your decisions are based

on good quality evidence

• The more you read the easier it gets• Saves time by being able to assess if a piece of research

is of good quality and worth reading• Develop the ability to make your own judgements on

whether a research conclusion is valid• Resources on your Library Subject Guide http://

libguides.mdx.ac.uk/veterinarynursing/critiquing VET2703 | 16

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/veterinarynursing/critiquing

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/veterinarynursing/critiquing


Today you have…

• Evaluated a good and a not-so-good search strategy

• Refreshed your search skills with Summon

• Explored some specialist sources for finding journal articles

• Identified primary and secondary research

VET2703 | 17


Need further help?

• Librarians available in the Study Hub (library 1st floor) Monday-Friday 9-5

• 1-1 appointments bookable via your library subject guide• Jo Wilson [email protected]• https://unihelp.mdx.ac.uk/askalibrarian

VET2703 | 18

mailto:[email protected]

https://unihelp.mdx.ac.uk/askalibrarian

https://unihelp.mdx.ac.uk/askalibrarian