1. Discovering Literature
Figure 1. Lady with binoculars [image]. (n.d.) Retrieved October 16, 2018 from:
Discovering Literature
Sarah Naumann, MLIS and Leia Casey, MLIS
Samuel Merritt University Libraries

2. Figure 2. Search strategy process [Digital image]
Figure 2. Search strategy process [Digital image]. Adapted from Researching for your literature review, Retrieved October 16, 2018
from Copyright 2017 by the Monash University. Adapted
with permission.

3. Identify key concepts:
Identifying Key Concepts and Terms
Identify key concepts:
What strategies can healthcare workers use to communicate effectively with clients with a hearing disability?

4. Where do I start? Google (yes, really)
Select relevant databases and resources
Where do I start?
Google (yes, really)
General Databases: OneSearch, Google
Subject specific databases: PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, Nursing & Allied Health, ERIC, Cochrane, TRIP

5. Boolean Searching Combine terms OR
Link keywords related to a single concept with OR
Linking with OR broadens a search (increases the number of results) by searching for any of the alternative keywords
Example: hearing impaired OR deaf
AND
Link different concepts with AND
Linking with AND narrows a search (reduces the number of results) by retrieving only those records that include all of your specified keywords
Example: hearing impaired AND communication
NOT
using NOT narrows a search by excluding certain search terms
Most searches do not require the use of the NOT operator
Example: hearing impaired NOT deaf will retrieve all results that include the words hearing impaired but don’t contain the word deaf.

6. Combine terms
More tips:
Truncation
Example: strateg* will retrieve strategy, strategies, strategic, strategize
Wildcard Wildcard symbols include the question mark ? and hash #. They replace zero, one or more characters in the middle of a word.
Example: wom#n finds woman or women, p?ediatric finds pediatric or paediatric.
Phrase searching
Example: “hearing impaired”
Bonus tip: Limit your search to Title/Abstract for narrow results
Explore each resource!

7. Demo time! OneSearch, Google Scholar, and PubMed
Run searches in selected resources
Demo time!
OneSearch, Google Scholar, and PubMed
Branch out to another database: CINAHL Plus
Start with simple keyword (keep it simple, silly)
Refine or expand your search as needed (using Boolean, phrase searching, etc.)

8. What’s next? Review what your findings Review Reference lists
Review and refine results
What’s next?
Review what your findings
Review Reference lists
Examine articles for new search terms
Try new searches with a refined strategy
Save searches/ Set alerts
Still have questions? Ask your librarian

9. References
Lady with binoculars [Image]. (n.d.) Retrieved October 16, 2018 from:
Search strategy. (2017). Retrieved October 16, 2018 from Researching for your literature review libguide: indenhttps://guides.lib.monash.edu/researching-for-your-literature-review