Reviewing the Literature

Q: When is “enough” for a good literature review?

A: For the first phase of selecting and narrowing a research question-pick the top 10 most recent articles that are closest to your topic of interest. Now narrow them down to the 5 best ones, using a good selection system, and ask each team member to talk about one.

A good rule of thumb when reviewing the literature is to avoid doing more than is necessary to fulfill your purpose. “Your purpose” refers to what you will be using the information for, be it finding general information on a clinical subject, reviewing research to support a change in practice, developing a protocol, or preparing a final manuscript for publication.

Identify key words from your clinical question that reflect the nature or bottom line of what you are trying to ask. Key words are entered as the “topic” for your literature review during the search. Use the algorithm below to conduct an electronic search for existing studies similar to your question.

Want to do a Literature Search? Here’s how!

1. Click “e-internet explorer”
2. Type https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ in search bar
3. Type “Medline” in search box
4. On the Medline web-site, click on the middle box “OVID Medline-Generic Access” and click “start OVID”

Step 1

1. Type keyword in search box (i.e. chronic heart failure)- click search.
2. Under the Select Subject headings, choose topic and click select and focus, then click continue.
3. Under Subheading, check as many topics of interest as you want to review.

Step 2

1. Type more specific information in the search box (i.e. ace inhibitors), click continue. May select additional subheadings listed below search box, then click continue.
2. Under Search history, at the bottom of the history box, select “combine search”, then click continue.

Step 3

1. Select topics you wish to compare, then click continue.
2. Under limits – click “humans – click search-scroll down and choose literature you wish to review.
   FYI: This site allows you to print any article

Scenario 1

Patient Problem: What studies supported no saline for ETS?

• Follow search steps to Topic of interest:
• Enter ‘endotracheal suctioning’
• Focus the search (you pick pertinent boxes)
• Enter on line two ‘nursing care’ and hit search
• Enter on line three ‘1 and 2’, and hit search
• See number of articles resulting from the search:
• Select “view” or “print”

Scenario 2

Patient problem: What studies supported ambulation after acute MI?

• Follow search steps to Topic of Interest:
• Enter ‘acute myocardial infaction’ and hit search
• Focus the search (you pick pertinent boxes)
• Enter on line two ‘time and ambulation’ and search
• Enter on line three ‘1 and 2’ and hit search
• See number of articles resulting from search:
• Select ‘view’ or print