C06
More appeal to systematic searching: a middle way to satisfy library directors, library patrons and the search theory
June 7, 2016 Tuesday
ROOM A
9.00-12.30
Maurizio GRILLI
Medical Faculty of Mannheim
University of Heidelberg, Germany
Title
More appeal to systematic searching: a middle way to satisfy library directors, library patrons and the search theory
Equipment Requirements
Laptops with: MS Word, Firefox, wi-fi functions, possibly EndNote (not necessary). A mouse is recommended.
Level
Intermediate knowledge of information retrieval (boolean operators, thesauruses tools, wild cards etc.) and of the databases PubMed and Cochrane Library.
Description
Most of us have probably already attended courses about systematic searching. Then we went back to our work places, put an amount of annotations and handouts in any drawer and simply carried on just like we did before. To avoid this fact is exactly the reason why systematic searching exists: to apply the theory in practice, that means to find a middle way at the same time to proceed correctly with the principle of the systematic searching, to satisfy the needs of the library patrons and, at the same time, to integrate this activity with the other tasks of the libraries where we are employed.
According to this assumption the course aims to show a practical method and some simple instruments to conduct a systematic search in a relatively short time and to deliver a product that is designed, comprehensible and useful at first to the library clients. The course aims likewise to clarify, what skills and competence are necessary to perform this activity.
The course instructor and participants will make together a systematic search step by step. Depending on the remaining time the participants will then try a systematic search on their own.
Aims
- The method of systematic searching
- Main search skills in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Clinical Trials.Gov, ICTRP
- The handling of the search terms
- The handling of the search results in EndNote
- The compiling of the search protocol
Steps
- Understanding the topic
- Structuring the topic
- Definition of the search terms
- Definition of the search strategy
- Adapting the search terms to the different databases
- Execution of the search in the most important databases
- Storing the search results in EndNote
- Compiling the search protocol
Biography of the course instructor
Maurizio Grilli (Italy, 1966) first studied German, Norwegian and English language and literature at the University of Bologna. Then he studied Hermeneutics at the University of Heidelberg. Finally, he completed the Master of Library and Information Science study program at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences. Between 2008 and 2014 he was library director at the High School for Health Professions in Bozen (Italy). He is currently employed at the Library for the Medical Faculty of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg.