The library maintains and makes available information on a wide range of scientific topics pertinent to your studies at KI. Here you will find printed books, but above all a large selection of databases, journals and other e-resources. We are happy to help you find and evaluate information.
Why, what, and where should you search? Overview guidance for different types of searches, such as structured searches, finding research (for background), or finding evidence. Also, how to formulate your research question, as well as a comprehensive list of useful search paths.
Start from the main concepts in your research question when you gather keywords to include in your database search. Build search blocks by collecting free text words and controlled subject terms, using test searches and key articles.
There are general search principles that work in most databases: Boolean operators, truncation, phrase searching, field searching, etc. Use our guides for different databases to see what applies in the one you are searching in. Further improve your search with our checklists to broaden or narrow down a search.
Choosing reliable sources in healthcare and medicine is vital. Be aware that scientific information can be published in various ways. Learn to recognize, evaluate, and critically review a scientific article. How can one tell, for example, if an article has undergone peer review?
Reporting one’s search is part of conducting a review. The search strategy should be described so that the choices made can be reviewed and the search can be repeated. This is done through a transparent presentation of the final search and the methodological choices made along the way.
Are you conducting a systematic review? On this page, we will review a few things worth thinking about when you intend to conduct and report a systematic literature search.
