Responsible Literature Searches

This Responsible Literature Searching guide provides guidance and best practices on the literature search process. Users reviewing this guide will be able to:

1. Formulate a strong research question using PICO or other question frameworks
2. Identify appropriate SIUSOM Medical Library databases and evidence based tools to find literature
3. Identify controlled vocabulary and keyword terms to search
4. Create database search strategies
5. Use citation managers like EndNote to organize references

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A literature search is an iterative and strategic process used to identify existing research on a topic. In medical and health sciences, literature searches typically involve databases such as PubMed, but they may also extend to other evidence based resources like clinical trial registries to ensure comprehensiveness.

While literature searches are often associated with literature reviews - since reviewing the literature first requires finding it - they serve a variety of purposes, including:

• Understanding the research landscape - identifying what is already known and where knowledge gaps exists.
• Recognizing research gaps - Pinpointing areas where further study is needed.
• Identifying theoretical frameworks and concepts - Finding models, theories, or key terms relevant to a research question.
• Supporting or challenging arguments - Gathering evidence that strengthens or critiques a position.
• Designing research methodologies - Reviewing how similar studies were designed and conducted.
• Staying current - Keeping up with the latest developments in a field.
• Meeting academic and professional standards - Ensuring compliance with institutional, funding, or publication requirements.

A responsible literature search goes beyond simply retrieving articles. It requires:

• Developing a systematic and well-defined search plan that aligns with the research goal.

• Constructing comprehensive, reproducible search strategies across multiple databases.

• Critically appraising the quality, relevance, and credibility of the information found.

• Maintaining transparency by documenting search results and methods, including databases searched, keywords used, and any filters applied.