Health Sciences Literature Searching Basics

Welcome to the Health Sciences Literature Searching Basics guide

We have created this guide as a starting point or refresher on how to find health sciences research reports, often (but not always) found in the form of journal articles.

It will also help you prepare for your meeting with a health sciences librarian.

Figure1. Information search process

This guide covers the main steps of the information search process:

Step 1: Define your research question

Step 2: Identify database(s) to search

Step 3: Build your search strategy

• By using subject headings/keywords, structuring a search, database-specific operators and fields, and saving your searches.

Step 4: Evaluate your results

• Make sure your results match your research question.
• If you are not (entirely) satisfied, you may want to modify your search strategy or your research question.

Step 5: Manage your sources