Finding and using knowledge

• What do you need to know? Defining your information need or research question
• Key resources on The Knowledge Network
• Getting the best out of web searching
• Getting started with databases
• Beginner's guide to referencing and plagiarism
• An introduction to different study types

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This session focused on questions about your information needs.  Who is your audience?  How much time do you have?  This will affect where and how you search. Includes:
 

• Choosing the right sources for your information need
• grey literature and scholarly literature
• Analysing your question and identifying key concepts and search terms

After attending the session you may wish to complete the activities below.  

Activity one

If you would like to refresh your knowledge on choosing the right source for your information need, and the differences between grey, popular and scholarly literature, please visit our interactive Padlet.

Activity two

PICO and other frameworks can help you break your question down into concepts and component parts.  For further information go to our page on search frameworks. 

Use either the PICO, ECLIPS or SPICE framework to break down your research question.  

Think about the keywords and alternatives terms you would use to search.  

Links mentioned in session

The Knowledge Network evidence summaries page
The Knowledge Network library search
Statistical data | Finding and Using Knowledge | Turas Learn
NHS Inform
Patient Information Forum
Search frameworks | Finding and Using Knowledge | Turas Learn
Word Hippo online thesaurus

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This session looked at the resources available through The Knowledge Network.  It includes how to
 

• Find journals, articles and eBooks on The Knowledge Network library search
• Run a more focused search using boolean operators and library filters
• Find evidence summaries and know the advantages of these

After attending the session you may find it helpful to follow the instructions below and watch the relevant videos. 

Activity one

If you have never had an NHS Scotland OpenAthens account, or it has been a while since you have signed in, watch the appropriate video below.  

If you have used your NHS Scotland OpenAthens account recently, skip to the next activity.

If you encounter any difficulties registering, please contact our help desk for support knowledge@nes.scot.nhs.uk. 

Activity two

Think about a question you need to answer or something you need to know more about.  Choose either library search or BMJ Best Practice.  Think about the keywords you will use to search and follow the instructions on the appropriate video below. 

If you are using library search, further information on combining terms can be found on The Knowledge Network help and training pages. 

Links mentioned in session

The Knowledge Network 
Further information on registering for an OpenAthens account
Search tips (Using Boolean and truncation) on The Knowledge Network
The Knowledge Network Library Search
Evidence summaries on The Knowledge Network (includes BMJ Best Practice and Dynamed videos)
Getting started on The Knowledge Network
Training opportunities on The Knowledge Network 
Alert services on The Knowledge Network

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Ever been searching for information on the web and hit a paywall?  This session provided quick tips to identify material freely available to you through NHS Scotland subscriptions.  It also covered:
 

• Recommended trusted websites and fact-checking services  
• Easy tools to evaluate information you come across on the web and elsewhere

After attending the session you may wish to complete the activities below

Activity one

LibKey Nomad is a browser extension that identifies online articles and eBooks made available to you through your NHS Scotland library services. Go to The Knowledge Network to find out more. LibKey Nomad on The Knowledge Network

Google Scholar library links can be set to connect your search results with NHS Scotland subscription material. This will allow any articles that are available through The Knowledge Network to show an NHS Scotland Journals link alongside the reference. Go to The Knowledge Network to find out more.  Google Scholar on The Knowledge Network.

Activity two

There can be a lot of misinformation on the internet.  Often when you access information on the open web you will need to be able to assess the reliability and accuracy of the content.  There are a number of frameworks which can help you with this process.

Think about a topic you are interested in and search on Google.  Assess the information you find using either the CRAAP or SIFT framework. 

Links mentioned in session

Advanced Google Search
Find more evidence sources on The Knowledge Network 
DuckDuckGo 
How to use advanced syntax on DuckDuckGo Search

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The Knowledge Network library search is an ideal place to start searching when you are at the beginning of a research project.  If you need a deeper dive or to conduct more complex searches, then a range of databases are available via The Knowledge Network.  This session covered:
 

• Different databases for different subjects  
• An introduction to controlled vocabularies - what these are, how you use them, and the benefits  

After the session, get started with the simple activities below

Activity one

Find out more about bibliographic databases and the advantages of using these by visiting The Knowledge Network databases page.

Explore the category most relevant to you by selecting View all databases.

Activity two

Watch the video below to find out more about MeSH subject headings

How to view the MeSH indexing in Ovid MEDLINE | OvidGo!

Links mentioned in session

Frameworks to help you plan your search on Turas Learn
Ovid help for Medline and other databases: OvidGo!
How Do I Search the Non-MEDLINE Set In PubMed? | National library of Medicine
Further guidance on using ProQuest databases
NHS local library services

 

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This session covered the basics of plagiarism and referencing including:
 

• What referencing and plagiarism are
• Why it is important to reference
• Referencing styles
• Introduction to reference management software

Activity one

It is important to reference.  For an overview of why you need to reference, how to reference and an introduction to referencing terminology, visit our Referencing page or watch the video below:

Activity two

Reference management software offers many advantages.  You can access EndNote Fusion with your NHS Scotland OpenAthens account.  Explore the information on the EndNote Fusion page on The Knowledge Network
 

There are lots of different study types, but which is the best for your information need?  This  final session included:
 

• Strengths and weaknesses of the most common study types  
• Top tips for finding your preferred study type  
• Further training and support

Activity one

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing the best study type for your information need, but giving this some thought will save you time by getting you to the most relevant literature as quickly and efficiently as possible.  If you would like a reminder of some of the key features of the main study types, try our interactive Padlet. 

Activity two

There are lots of controls in place for different study types.  These are intended to minimise bias, but you should be aware that there are many ways that bias can occur in research.  For an easy overview of some of the different types of bias read this blog on the CASP website 

Links mentioned in session

Ovid help and support
Cochrane highly sensitive search filters

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