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Developing Research Skills for Evidence and Enquiry for Practice (HWLS): Starting your Search - what to use?

What will I learn in this section?

Blackboard with the word SEARCH written on it.

This section covers all you need to know about using a database to find your articles. Remember, you need to find two primary research articles from one database relevant to your subject area. This should relate to a topic (e.g. a specific health condition, clinical area, piece of legislation) that is of interest to you. 

Remember! You are NOT doing a literature review of your topic; you are expected to critically explore the techniques and/or procedures of your chosen aspect along with any ethical considerations in the context of your two pieces of primary research.

Each of the databases below has more information about what subjects or topics that database covers. Please read this information carefully to help you choose which database is most relevant to your topic. The tab 'Using the Databases' goes into more detail on how to search these databases.

Key Databases for Nursing & Midwifery, Health and Social Care

These are the key databases that cover the Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care literature. You need to choose one of these only to use to find your two articles. Each database has some information about what it covers and what it is appropriate for, so please read the information carefully to help you choose which one to use.

Library Search AND Google Scholar - Not to be used for this assignment!

While you may have used Google, or other search engines, previously, they may not be the most appropriate resource to use. Your assignment brief clearly states that you need to find your articles from an academic database, and Google etc. are not this!

From your Assessment Brief:

Search strategy

  • Run a search on a (one) database relevant to your field of practice 
  • Use the “Keeping a record of your search” table to demonstrate your search and include this in the Appendix.
  • Justification of your how you ran the search is important. You must discuss your search parameters and explain how you ran your search and how your narrowed/widened your search as appropriate.

N.B The Library Search itself is NOT a suitable database, nor is Google Scholar.

Where Can I Get Help?

There is lots more help in the 'Searching for and Accessing Literature' folder in your module Blackboard site. This may be in the Learning Materials folder for the week containing your timetabled session on literature searching. This folder contains a comprehensive set of resources to help you with starting your search for your papers. 

You can get help with quick questions using Library chat, or you can get in touch with the Library through the student portal or Hallam Help points. Here are some useful help links:

  • Get to grips with APA referencing and using our software, RefWorks. Referencing and RefWorks workshops: Library Referencing Guide
  • Got a quick query? Get in touch 24/7/365 using Library Chat.
  • Need more detailed or specialist help (such as questions about using Library resources / specialist resources)? Contact Hallam Help - this will get your enquiry to the most appropriate team.