Module 4: Searching for literature

Prepare to search  

Effective preparation for your literature review search is essential to ensure your search is focused, methodologically sound, and comprehensive. Thoughtful planning not only reduces errors and omissions but also helps you make the best use of your time. 

Preparation ensures you: 

• Understand guidelines and reporting requirements that may apply to your search. 
• Determine the type of literature needed, informed by your research question, to guide what sources to search and where to search. 
• Develop clear documentation processes to record your search and screening steps effectively.

This section explains the key considerations, preparations, and documentation needed to establish a strong foundation before starting your literature review search.

Understanding what literature you need 

Identifying suitable literature early on ensures your search is focused and productive. Consider the following: 

• Research question alignment with study types: Some research questions are better suited to certain study designs, e.g., qualitative studies for exploring experiences.
• Types of literature: The type of literature required for your review will depend on your research question and the goals of your study. Consider the type of literature your search is focused on, e.g. primary, secondary, theoretical, or grey literature.
• Sources of information: Think about where you're planning to look for literature, such as subject-specific databases for scholarly articles, government websites for reports, institutional repositories for theses.

Review guidelines 

Guidelines provide a structured process for completing your review. Before undertaking the searching process for a review, it is important to identify available guidelines for your review type. Guidelines for conducting and reporting reviews have been developed by expert researchers to ensure reviews meet expectations for transparency, reproducibility, quality, and reporting standards. 

Following guidelines specific to your review type is both practical and highly recommended, as they: 

• Outline a clear process by providing step-by-step instructions for completing your review. 
• Ensure rigour and transparency through timely actions that enhance the objectivity and reproducibility of your work. 
• Support credibility by allowing you to state that your review adheres to recognised, public standards. 

Guidelines for health research reviews 

When conducting a health-related review, guidelines are particularly important for preparing and executing your search, as they: 

• Highlight the search strategies, information sources, and eligibility criteria you need to consider. 
• Help you determine a systematic approach, ensuring your search process is methodical and comprehensive. 
• Provide specific requirements for documentation, ensuring every step of your search is clearly recorded.

Guidelines for common review types   

Explore the common review types below for guidelines, to ensure your search process aligns with established standards for both methodological guidelines (e.g., Cochrane, Joanna Briggs Institute) and reporting guidelines (e.g., PRISMA-S).

Documenting your process

Effective documentation is a critical part of any literature review, and it's helpful to be aware of what you’ll need to document from the outset to track your progress.

Documentation supports your workflow through:

• Time and organisation: Saves time by having all key details readily accessible while helping you stay organised and avoid duplicating work. 
• Accuracy: Reduces the chance of errors or missed steps during the review process. 
• Compliance: Meets reporting standards, such as PRISMA-S, enhancing the quality of your review. 

It also supports the broader research community through:

• Transparency: Demonstrates that your review process is rigorous and methodical. 
• Reproducibility: Allows others to replicate your work, increasing its credibility and value. 
• Collaboration: Facilitates easier sharing of your process with collaborators or peer reviewers.

PRISMA-S

PRISMA-S is an extension of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines which focuses on search reporting. It ensures your review is transparent, reproducible, and meets established standards.