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Literature Searching GuideClick here to chat with a librarian

The Literature Searching guide shows you how to complete an effective literature search from beginning to end. This includes formulating a research question, identifying search terms, searching databases, working with search results, grey literature, and FAQs. Use the tabs at the top of the page to navigate through the guide. 

Remember: the Library team provides a range of research support services to Monash Health employees and students. Attend a live webinar, book a research consultation, or request a literature search and get in touch with the Library team if you have any questions.

Literature searches play a fundamental role in evidence-based practice, research, and continuous improvement. Monash Health employees and students engage in many activities which require an effective search for relevant, high-quality literature, including:

  • Involvement in research projects
  • Writing for publication, e.g. literature reviews
  • Updating or developing clinical procedures or guidelines
  • Preparing for a presentation or education session
  • Planning service improvements
  • Completing advanced training or fellowship projects
  • Undertaking health technology assessments (HTAs)
  • Answering complex clinical queries for patient care

Monash Health Library offers a range of library research support services to Monash Health employees and students including research consultations, literature searching, literature summary reports, and co-authorship for publication. Please view the research support services document for specific details and turnaround times. 

Library Research Support Services

Research consultation with a librarian

A research consultation is a one-on-one appointment with a Monash Health librarian for guidance on how to search systematically and incorporate advanced search strategies in your research. 

Book a Research Consultation

Literature Search Service

Monash Health employees may request a literature search from the Library. We will:

  • Review your research question and build an appropriate search strategy.
  • Run the search on relevant databases.
  • Provide you with a list of search results, EndNote Library and/or Covidence workspace.
  • Refine the search strategy further, if needed.
  • Provide a curated summary of the best literature (service improvements, PROMPT procedures and business cases only).

Request a Literature Search

Webinars and Group Training

Monash Health Library provides regular webinars and group training on evidence-based practice. Training related to literature searching includes:

  • Advanced literature searching - with Medline demo
  • Govt reports, guidelines, trial data & more: Finding grey literature
  • Critical appraisal of medical literature
  • EndNote: Demo and Q&A
  • ClinicalKey Database - Search Training
  • ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Database – Search Training

Browse the Library Calendar

Can’t attend our live webinars?

  • The library has a selection of recorded webinars available in Latte.
  • Consider requesting group training for your team at a time that suits you. 

Monash Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung peoples, and we pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future.

We are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment that embraces all backgrounds, cultures, sexualities, genders and abilities.