This guide will serve as a starting point or refresher on how to find health sciences information for your research needs. It will introduce you to the basics of the information search process and help you prepare for a consultation meeting with a health sciences librarian.
Information searching is an iterative process. Meaning that you will constantly be “building, refining, and improving” all aspects of your searching.
It’s okay to go back and make adjustments so that you get the most out of your search. But the general steps in the information search process are:
Step 1: Define your research question
Step 2: Database Searching
Step 3: Build your search strategy
Step 4: Evaluate your results
Step 5: Manage your references
Please note: While this guide is managed by the Schulich Librarians, the contents of the guide were developed in collaboration with Yvon-Tani Jackson, MISt student (2026).
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