Literature search service: UKHSA Knowledge and Library Services
Knowledge and Library Services offer expert literature searches, providing eligible staff with evidence to inform public health policy, strategy, and services.
Knowledge and Library Services (KLS) lead on the provision of expert literature searching, providing eligible staff with access to reliable evidence to help protect the public’s health. Our tailored literature searches provide you with the best and most relevant evidence to inform policy, strategy, services and decision-making.
Introduction to literature searches
A literature search is a detailed, comprehensive and systematic search of the literature (published and unpublished) from a variety of quality sources about specific topics or conditions. The search yields a set of results on the topic in question - usually a list of journal articles and reports, each containing a summary (known as an abstract). Reading the results enables you to get an overview of what is known about the topic. This is often referred to as the ‘evidence base’ and is an integral part of the methodology for any UKHSA project.
Literature searches offered by KLS
KLS provide 4 types of literature search outputs. The right option for you will depend on your timeline, the purpose of the search, and the availability of evidence.
Bibliography
A list of relevant literature search results, organised by date or author.
Timeframe: at least 1 week.
Themed bibliography
A categorised list of relevant search results, grouped by theme or publication type.
Timeframe: at least 2 weeks.
Evidence briefing
A summary of key research findings presented in bullet points, using systematic search methods. Findings are not quality assessed or critically appraised.
Timeframe: at least 3 weeks (subject to eligibility criteria).
Systematic review search and advice
A complex literature search designed to support systematic or rapid reviews, with guidance on methodology. A librarian should be involved early in the review process.
Find out more about systematic reviews.
Timeframe: varies based on the review’s complexity - discussed on a case-by-case basis.
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