VET2703 literature searching 2016

Literature Searching VET2703 January 2016

© 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

Presentation title | 2


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



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 dissertation proposal including 2000 words literature review



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 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 organizations and conference papers)

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

• The inclusion/exclusion criteria used in the search



Activity 2 – Searching

“Veterinary practices in the UK are seeing increasing numbers of overweight dogs with associated health problems 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 about the best ways of preventing and/or managing obesity in dogs?”

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



How did it go?



Planning your search: the PICO model

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



Brainstorm – Canine obesity

Canines• Dogs• Ages?• Breeds?

Obesity

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

diabetes, osteoarthritis

Prevention / managemen

t

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

professionals• Education / advice


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


For any question…• Consider the different keywords, related terms or

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

horses;• Search each element separately;• 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



Beyond Summon – other places to search• Databases— Medline / PubMed

— Science Direct

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

— MyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Databases

• Google Scholar• Individual journals specific to your topic



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?



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?



Distinguishing between primary and secondary sources

• Primary sources - original research written up and published by the researchers in peer-reviewed journals

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



Critiquing research – why?• Part of your literature review!• As practitioners it ensures that your decisions are based

on good quality research• 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/c.php?g=322086&p=2155923


http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/c.php?g=322086&p=2155923

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/c.php?g=322086&p=2155923


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



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


mailto:[email protected]

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

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