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.

These courses are free for RSM members and a fee applies for non-members and corporate members.

Group workshops

All group workshops last four hours, and includes a mixture of presentations and practical sessions.

Introduction to literature searching

Find out how to make effective use of the library’s extensive portfolio of online journals, e-books and databases. This will be assessed with practical sessions and exercises.

After attending this course you will be able to:

  • Identify library services and availability of resources to assist you with your research and continuing professional development
  • Devise a search strategy using text words in a database
  • Select results from a database search and export them in a Word document
  • Navigate the e-journals/ e-books platform to access a journal or a book and view its full text

Advanced literature searching

This is a follow-up course to the ‘Introduction to literature searching’ workshop. Learn about focusing database searches using thesaurus terms and searching across both Medline and Embase. This will be assessed with practical sessions and exercises.

After attending this course you will be able to:

  • Select the right database to meet your information needs
  • Use thesaurus terms to focus your database searches
  • Search across multiple databases and remove duplicate references
  • Re-run your saved search strategies 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 workshop introduces you to the necessary skills and tools required to search effectively for the best clinical evidence. This will be assessed with practical sessions and exercises.

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 workshop or an individual database tutorial from Library staff is recommended before booking on this workshop.

Introduction to critical appraisal

This workshop introduces you to the basic skills and tools required to critically appraise a research study. This will be assessed with practical sessions and exercises.

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 workshops or to book an individual tutorial contact the Library on 020 7290 2940 or email litsearch@rsm.ac.uk.

Group workshops are available 9am – 1pm monthly on a rotating basis. Please see below for upcoming dates.

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

Library - IT training suite

Prices

Group workshops

RSM/Library members: Free
Corporate members: £120 per person
Non-members: £120 (includes a free temporary library pass to be used on the day)

(Corporate members/Non-members: Credit or debit card details are required in advance to secure your booking. No refunds can be given if you do not attend on the day of a group workshop and have not cancelled your booking at least 48 hours prior to the day.)

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

Introduction to Literature Searching

Monday 13 January 2020, 9am-1pm
Thursday 26 March 2020, 9am-1pm
Tuesday 26 May 2020, 9am-1pm
Venue: IT Training Room (RSM Library, First floor) – places are limited to 10

Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine

Friday 28 February 2020, 9am-1pm
Venue: IT Training Room (RSM Library, First floor) – places are limited to 10

Advanced Literature Searching

Tuesday 19 November 2019, 9am-1pm
Thursday 18 June 2020, 9am-1pm
Venue: IT Training Room (RSM Library, First floor) – places are limited to 10

Introduction to Critical Appraisal

Monday 27th April 2020, 9am-1pm
Venue: Mezzanine Suite (RSM Library, First floor) – places are limited to 8