Target Audience: Anyone in a Social Sciences discipline who is starting a systematic search for the first time

Pre-requisite: We strongly recommend completing the Library Canvas module “Searching the Literature - Next Steps in Finding the Right Information” in advance.

Participants will need access to a laptop during the session. You are welcome to bring your own device; or we have a number of them available to borrow from the RSTR. 

Note: If you bring your own, please ensure that you connect it to the 'eduroam' Wi-Fi network before the session.

This class will provide an overview of essential searching techniques for conducting a systematic search which is used to find studies for a literature review or systematic review. These are often used in Education and other social sciences to inform policy- and decision-making.  Participants will learn how to develop a search strategy and effectively use various search tools to identify relevant studies. Practical exercises and demonstration are included to enhance understanding and application of these techniques.

We will cover how you can use different library resources to scope your research topic to establish its key concepts, and thus generate and identify relevant search terms. We will also look at the use of Controlled Vocabulary in conjunction with key words and phrases in building systematic search strategies. This will be followed by a demonstration of a sample systematic search in a scholarly database, and of how such searches can be recorded.

By the end of the session you should be able to

• Identify the key databases for your systematic search
• Use the library resources to scope your topic
• Develop a systematic search strategy
• Apply a search strategy to a relevant database e.g. ERIC, PsycINFO
• Record and document a search strategy