HSLS for SHRS

Background information can provide:

• Broad overview of the subject
• Definitions of the topic
• Introduction to key issues
• Names of people who are authorities in the subject field
• Keywords and subject-specific vocabulary terms that can be used for database searches
• Bibliographies that lead to additional resources

Before you begin searching for background information, it is a good idea to identify the main concepts of your topic and write down all the keywords and phrases that describe your topic. 

Using a combination of the concepts and synonyms you have identifed you will now complete searches in four different resources. Do NOT type a complete sentence into the search box; use the identified keywords and leave out words such as outcomes, comparison, etc..

Including synonyms, related terms (including generic and trade names of drugs), and abbreviations in a search will change the results/citations retrieved; sometimes broadening it, sometimes narrowing it.

You can locate synonyms and related terms by looking at known articles and their reference lists, asking your mentor, and/or completing preliminary searches.

Combine keywords and phrases using Boolean Operators.

• Combine different concepts with AND to retrieve articles that mention both of your keywords.
• Combine related concepts or synonyms with OR.
• Use NOT to exclude keywords from your search results.