Chapter 7.2 How to identify and access reports of existing research
Authors: Brice A, De Brun C.
Chapter 7.2 describes the key factors to consider when searching for evidence for health emergency and disaster risk management (Health EDRM), by:
- Recognizing the issues related to searching for evidence for Health EDRM.
- Understanding the techniques required for finding the best evidence for Health EDRM.
- Identifying relevant information sources to answer the focused question.
- Being aware of how to manage and appraise the evidence retrieved, so that it can be applied in practice.
What is this chapter about?
People making decisions in Health EDRM need to be able to identify and access reports of relevant research, particularly when timescales are short and resources are poor.
This chapter provides guidance on searching for Health EDRM evidence. It outlines each stage in the search process, highlights relevant resources for Health EDRM research and describes techniques for searching these resources effectively. The chapter also provides information on how to manage references, obtain full text publications and assess the quality of the research and the evidence it provides.
What are the key messages of this chapter?
- If available, contact a librarian who has the skills and understands the context.
- Recognize the scenario and formulate a focused question.
- Identify the key search terms and compile a list of synonyms.
- Decide on the most appropriate study types to answer the question.
- Choose the most relevant information sources and apply the search terms.
- Narrow down by adding additional concepts or use quality filters to retrieve particular study types.
- Keep a record of the search strategies and results so that they can be revisited, and revised, later.
- Use reference management software to manage the references you find.
- Use critical appraisal skills to check whether the information you have found is reliable and relevant.
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