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Literature Reviews (in the Health Sciences)

Step by step guide to one possible process to use for a literature review.

Document your searches to:

  • Keep track of your search terms so you don't duplicate
  • Keep track of the databases you've searched
  • Reuse successful search terms in multiple databases
  • Describe your search methods in your paper (if needed)
  • Provide evidence of a thorough search

Write down what database you searched, the keywords or subject headings used, the date, number of results, and comments/notes to yourself for improving future searches.

Review an example documentation table created by a Norris librarian.