Just starting a PhD or clinical research fellowship? Get expert literature search help

Beginning a research programme is an exciting step, but it can also feel daunting. Alongside clinical commitments, you will be building your skills in study design, methodology, academic writing, and publication. The Library's expert staff can support you at key stages of your research, helping you save time, avoid common pitfalls and reduce the stress of a research project.

One of your first challenges is understanding the existing evidence base. Whether you are undertaking a systematic review, designing a clinical study, or refining your research question, effective literature searching is a fundamental research skill. A well-conducted search helps ensure your work is informed by the latest evidence, and can contribute to high-quality publications.

For many surgeons, formal training in literature searching was limited or undertaken years ago. Even with access to a wide range of databases, journals, and online tools through your professional membership, knowing how to use these resources efficiently can be challenging.

The Library staff really helped me get the searching done and finish my PhD.

Recent PhD graduate.

Here are some key skills that the Library staff can help you with:

• Explaining how to use the Library's online resources
• Scoping searches, to investigate the feasibility of your topic area
• Refining the search question and scope
• Setting appropriate search limits
• Reporting the search to meet PRISMA and peer-review standards
• Acknowledging input transparently to avoid plagiarism
• Screening literature for relevance
• Using reference management software efficiently

How we've helped members like you with search training and support

A core trainee had carried out literature search training as an undergraduate, but did not feel confident using the Ovid or Cochrane Library interfaces. They sent their draft search to the Evidence Support Team for review. A librarian arranged a 1-2-1 meeting with the member, at which they demonstrated how to develop the search within these interfaces, and discussed options to limit the search volumes.

A Specialty Registrar had an idea for their research, based on clinical need. A librarian helped them with scoping searches to establish that there was already a recent published systematic review on the topic, which highlighted specific evidence gaps to explore. Working together to refine the question saved the member a lot of time, compared with needing to retrofit their literature review and findings at a late stage.

A Clinical Research Fellow had received good advice on systematic review skills from within their team, but needed evidence about the volumes of literature for different search options, to discuss with their advisory group. A librarian from the Evidence Support Team shared tips on the volume the member could assess per day, and how to make the process less fatiguing or error prone. They also helped with advice about the PRISMA literature flow diagram and how to report and acknowledge search input in the published systematic review.

The Library staff were invaluable for helping me with literature searching skills and advice on how to approach the systematic review.

Clinical Research Fellow.

Please note: we can design and run scoping searches for you, offer training, search peer review and other support, but if your work is for assessment, we can't carry out the main search for you.

Our services are a member benefit of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. If you're not a member already, talk to the membership team to discuss your eligibility and the options available.

Then, get in touch with us via evidencesupport@rcseng.ac.uk, for personalised, expert help via email, online meeting or phone, at a time to suit you.

As a result, you will feel more confident and supported in carrying out the literature review part of your study. Less stress, better use of your time, and a greater chance of writing a successful publication.

Janet Clapton, Information Specialist