Understanding Searching Techniques
Date:
16/04/2015
Organised by:
York Health Economics Consortium - University of York
Presenter:
Julie Glanville
Level:
Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)
Contact:
Alicia Wooding alicia.wooding@york.ac.uk
Description:
Understanding Searching Techniques: From Pragmatic Searches to Searches to Inform HTA and Systematic Reviews.
Literature searches are the foundation for many aspects of high quality health research and technology assessment; including systematic reviews, rapid evidence assessments and economic model development.
Developing search strategies to retrieve relevant research evidence requires knowledge of database features and skills in turning the concepts embodied in a research question into a search strategy. It also requires the search approach to be adapted to the research context; a search to identify inputs for rapid evidence development will have different requirements to a search for a systematic review. This course provides an introduction to search development for project managers, research commissioners and new searchers, who are seeking a better understanding of how searches are constructed and adapted to meet the needs of various types of projects.
The trainers are experienced information specialists, trainers and researchers. Their extensive experience lies in conducting literature searches to inform evidence syntheses such as health technology assessments and systematic reviews.
Course Trainers:
• Julie Glanville (Associate Director) York Health Economics Consortium, University of York
• Mick Arber (Information Specialist) York Health Economics Consortium, University of York
• Hannah Wood (Information Specialist) York Health Economics Consortium, University of York
By the end of the training day, participants will:
Understand how a search is constructed conceptually;
Understand how search strategies are developed and how this is shaped by the research context;
Understand the purpose of subject headings, textwords, Boolean operators, and truncation;
Be aware of the issues of sensitivity and precision and their role in different types of searches;
Be able to critique a strategy and appreciate key tradeoffs which have been made.
Who should attend?
• Project managers, research commissioners and researchers commissioning standalone literature searches or searches which form the basis of larger projects, who need to understand how to describe the search which is needed and to assess whether searches provided are fit for purpose;
• Researchers requiring a better understanding of how to specify searches and to brief information specialists to conduct searches;
• Searchers new to the field of evidence synthesis and the specific search approaches required.
Cost:
£225 + VAT
Website and registration:
http://www.yhec.co.uk/training/understanding-searching-techniques/
Region:
Yorkshire and Humberside
Keywords:
Frameworks for Research and Research Designs, health research , health technology assessment , systematic reviews , rapid evidence assessments , economic model development , searching
Related publications and presentations:
Frameworks for Research and Research Designs