Search Biomedical Literature: A How-To Guide

Welcome to the Search for Biomedical Literature : A How-to Guide at UVic Libraries

This site brings together resources available from UVic Libraries to help connect you with relevant research materials on how to retrieve biomedical literature.

Click on the tabs on this page to uncover detailed lists of resources to help answer your questions. Each tab is comprised of the best sources for finding what you need.

How can UVic Libraries help?

Contact UVic Libraries for a literature search consultation. Please list your department in the request.

A search consultation might include one or more of the following:

• Refining the research topic to an answerable question
• Recommending information sources or databases for the search topic
• Identifying relevant search terms 
• Creating and executing search strategies
• Suggesting reference management software and strategies

Prior to your consultation, we recommend that you:

• Have a clear and concise understanding of your research question
• Be prepared to discuss the scope of your project
• Brainstorm search terms associated with your topics (synonyms and variations on spelling)
• Note any relevant literature you have found so far

Are you interested in performing a systematic review?
These types of reviews are more complex than a general literature review. See our Systematic Review: A How-To Guide to learn more.