Skip to Main Content

Responsible Literature Searches

Supplement to session on responsible searching for the course on Responsible Conduct of Research.

What's in this Guide?

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

Use the tabs on the left side of the page to navigate to specific content.

What is Responsible Literature Searching?

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.

 

Medical Library Assistance

The Medical Library provides literature search and consultation services to support SIUSOM students, staff, faculty, and residents’ educational and research needs. Our adaptive service strives to support a variety of research needs from focused clinical searching in support of direct patient care to developing comprehensive search strategies for evidence synthesis projects.

Request a Literature Search

Submit a literature search request to receive assistance with:
  • Crafting and executing search strategies in Medical Library resources
  • Identifying appropriate sources and databases to search
  • Finding up to date literature on desired topics

SIUSOM medical librarians are happy to meet with you one on one and provide personalized research assistance. Consultation services may include the following:
  • Refining research topics into answerable questions
  • Supporting literature review and evidence synthesis projects
  • Developing search plans including search term identification and suggesting databases to search
  • Reviewing existing search strategies
  • Creating and executing search strategies
  • Instruction on database searching
  • Guidance on citation management software like EndNote

Determining the "best" resources to search depends on several factors. Consider the type of question you are asking, the subject area, and the purpose of your search. For example, a search for background information may only require one or two key resources, while a search for a systematic review demands a more comprehensive and rigorous approach. Time constraints and availability of databases or tools also play a role in shaping your strategy.

Responsible Research Reminder
Making thoughtful choices about where and how you search is part of conducting responsible research—it helps ensure your work is built on accurate, relevant, and appropriately scoped evidence.


All databases provide unique coverage of literature. Below are a few suggested databases based on subject matter to help with deciding where to start searching.

General Medical / Biomedical
  • PubMed
  • Web of Science
  • Cochrane Library
Education
  • Academic Search Complete
  • ERIC
  • Web of Science
Psychology / Psychiatry
  • PubMed
  • Web of Science
  • PsycINFO
  • Psychiatry Online
Humanities / Medical Humanities
  • JSTOR
  • Humanities Source Ultimate
  • Ethnic Diversity Source
  • Academic Search Complete
Nursing / Allied Health
  • CINAHL
  • PubMed
  • Web of Science
  • Health Source

 

SIU Medical Library | 801 N Rutledge St.,Springfield, IL 62702 | (217) 545-2658

Contact Us

© 2018 SIU Board of Trustees | SIU Carbondale | EEO | Privacy Policy | Notice of Privacy Practices