Literature search and tools

Literature search: the basis of review articles

Systematic searches are part of the work related to the implementation of a review article. The library has prepared a step-by-step guide based on PhD on Track, which you can see below.

The library's search guide is aimed at steps 1-6 and often becomes an iterative process. This means that the first rounds of searches can lead to changes in the search strategy and the research question itself. Therefore, it is recommended to have the search strategy peer-reviewed before further work on analysis and writing (McGowen et al., 2016).

1. Formulate research questions: Problem statement in PICO other frameworks.
2. Concretizing delimitations: Inclusion and exclusion criteria.
3. Translating the research question into search strategy: Find search terms and databases.
4. Peer review of search strategy: Checking the syntax and search terms.
5. Conducting searches and reference management: Documenting searches and downloading references in a reference management tool.
6. Screening the search results: Using a screening tool, consider against inclusion and exclusion criteria.
7. Analysis of literature.
8. Writing.
9. Send the product to a journal.

How can the library help you?

The library can guide and support in the selection of available databases, provide training in literature searches, peer review of your search and how you can use relevant tools and programs for your work.

This service does not include the implementation of the search work. If it is desired that the library carries out the search, a request can be sent to bib.forskningsstotte@kristiania.no, and individual cases will be assessed by the head of department.

Tools and programs

Here we have gathered the tools and programs we can guide you in.