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Postgraduate Research in the Health Sciences Library Guide

Library guide for postgraduate students and researchers.

Recommended reading

Literature Reviews

The literature review is an overview of significant literature on a particular topic, which can either be self-contained, or form part of the introduction to your thesis.The purpose of the literature review is to place your own question or topic for study within the context of previous and current research.

Academic Literacy Workshops (UCT)
A handbook for students and instructors compiled by Ellen Hurst

Academic Phrasebank
A general resource for academic writers giving generic phrases to assist you in your writing.

Appraisal tools
Appraisal checklists for evaluating various types of studies

Guide to Literature Reviews in the Health Sciences
Produced for Health Sciences, UCT

Literature review matrix templates and examples
Produced by Walden University
Literatue Review Survival Guide
LibGuide created by Alex D'Angelo, UCT

Writing A Literature Review and Using a Synthesis Matrix
This document was created by NC State University Writing and Speaking Tutorial Service Tutors
Writing a literature review
Produced by Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

How to formulate a search strategy

Introduction to Evidence-based Practice
Includes a section on developing a well-built question
Seach stategy tips
Formulating your question using PICO, identifying search terms and using search filters such as filters for LMIC and African countries.
Systematic Approaches to Literature Review Searching
Library guide from Curtin University. Includes templates to guide and record your search strategy

Exercise in search strategy

Search Strategy Templates

Record of a Search Strategy Example 1
Shows how to record a search that was done using subject headings like MeSH
Record of a Search Strategy Example 2
Shows how to record a search that was done using keywords
Record of a search strategy template
Record of search strategy for Systematic Reviews(template)

These templates will enable you to record your literature searches by indicating your search strategy, keywords, filters, limits and results.