The Library runs a range of information skills training workshops and database tutorials throughout the year, designed to help you develop and improve your research and information skills.

Webinars

All training sessions will be hosted on Zoom as a webinar and will last approximately 1-1.5 hours. They will include a mixture of presentations and a Q&A. Some webinars will also include a practical session.

Introduction to literature searching

Find out how to carry out basic searches in the medical databases using textwords including forming a search question, applying limits, viewing and downloading search results, and finding the full-text. Medline is used as the example. This will include a Q&A session and a short practical.

After attending this course you will be able to:

  • Devise a search strategy in a database using textwords, Boolean operators, truncation and proximity operators
  • Apply limits to refine search results (e.g. by publication year, language or age groups)
  • Select results from a database search and save them to a Word document
  • Find the full-text of references whilst viewing search results
  • Search for an author’s name and a journal title

Advanced literature searching

This is a follow-up to the ‘Introduction to literature searching’ course. Learn about focusing database searches using thesaurus terms and searching across both Medline and Embase. This will include Q&A sessions and a short practical.

After attending this course you will be able to:

  • Use thesaurus terms to focus your database searches
  • Search across multiple databases and remove duplicate references
  • Save search strategies and re-run them at a later date to find recently added references to databases

You must have completed the Introduction to literature searching workshop or had an individual database tutorial from Library staff before booking this workshop.

Introduction to evidence-based medicine

This course introduces you to the necessary skills and tools required to search effectively for the best clinical evidence. This will include Q&A sessions.

After attending this course you will be able to:

  • Describe the steps to practising evidence-based medicine
  • Define the different levels of evidence
  • Formulate a clinical question using the PICO method
  • Identify the best online resources for finding evidence on your topic
  • Search the Cochrane Library and other key evidence-based medical resources effectively

Previous attendance on the Introduction to literature searching webinar or an individual database tutorial from Library staff is recommended before booking on this webinar.

Introduction to critical appraisal

This course introduces you to the basic skills and tools required to critically appraise a research study. This will include Q&A sessions.

After attending this course you will be able to:

  • Understand what critical appraisal is and its place in the context of evidence-based medicine
  • Identify the three broad issues (validity, importance, and relevance) to consider when reading any research paper
  • Select appropriate checklists to appraise different study designs
  • Critically appraise the validity, reporting of results, and applicability of a randomised controlled trial and a systematic review

Previous attendance on the Introduction to evidence-based medicine workshop is recommended.

Individual tutorials

The tutorials are given on a one-to-one basis with a professional searcher, taking place either in the Library or online via WebEx.

Database tutorials

This 1.5 hour one-to-one tutorial offers you the opportunity to learn from a professional searcher on how to effectively use medical databases.

Topics covered include how to:

  • Access and get the best out of medical databases, including Medline, Embase, AMED, DH-Data and the Cochrane Library
  • Build effective search strategies
  • Improve your searching skills

It may not be possible to cover all the databases in one tutorial session; if this occurs further sessions can be booked in with Library staff.

These sessions are also convenient for those who cannot attend the Introduction to literature searching and/or Advanced literature searching workshop dates.

Improving database search skills through practice

This 45 minute session with a professional searcher is tailored to your information needs, concentrating on your search questions and what techniques and tools you can use to search databases effectively.

Please note you are required to prepare a search strategy in advance and bring it with you to your session.

You must have completed at least the Introduction to literature searching workshop or had an individual database tutorial from Library staff before booking this session.

Please note that this tutorial is not available via WebEx.

Introduction to Mendeley

This one hour tutorial focuses on Mendeley, a free academic software which allows you to collect, manage and share references you find as part of your research. Medical students and researchers will find this tool useful when conducting research projects.

Topics covered include how to:

  • Keep all your documents in one place and access them across various devices
  • Read, highlight, annotate and share PDFs
  • Insert citations, bibliographies and create new citation styles
  • Share and collaborate with like-minded researchers via private or public groups
  • Share your own publications worldwide

You must have a Mendeley account before attending this tutorial. You can register for an account at www.mendeley.com. The software is available on your computer and can be downloaded as an app on mobile or tablet.

How to book

Library - study groups

Booking information

For further information about upcoming courses or to book an individual tutorial contact the Library on litsearch@rsm.ac.uk.

Please see below for upcoming dates and times.

Individual tutorials should be booked at least one week in advance to ensure staff availability.

Library - IT training suite

Prices

Webinars

RSM/Library members: Free
Corporate members/non-members: Free 

Individual tutorials

RSM/Library members: Free
Corporate members/non-members: £30 per hour

All prices are inclusive of VAT where applicable.

Upcoming group workshop dates

All workshops will start at 9:30am.

Introduction to Literature Searching

Will be for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Maximum of 20 places.

  • Tuesday 7 July 2020
  • Monday 3 August 2020

Advanced Literature Searching

Will be for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Maximum of 20 places.

  • Tuesday 14 July 2020
  • Monday 10 August 2020

Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine

Will be for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

  • Tuesday 21 July 2020

Introduction to Critical Appraisal

Will be for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes

  • Tuesday 28 July 2020
  • Monday 24 August 2020