The Library offers training in groups and one-to-one on using the library resources, literature searching and other information skills. We can also attend team meetings and events to promote library services to staff and assist staff in accessing resources.
Contact the Library for further details.
Online training
A free online course How to Search the Literature Effectively: A step-by-step guide to finding information and developing the skills for succesful searching is available on the E-Learning for Health website. The course has been created by NHS Librarians and is designed to help the healthcare workforce (clinical and non-clinical) build confidence to search published literature for articles and evidence relevant to their work, study and research. The modules are short (each taking no more than 20 minutes to complete) and may be ‘dipped into’ for reference, or completed to obtain a certificate. There are seven modules suitable for novice searchers and those wishing to refresh their knowledge.
Click here to access the course.
Help guides and online training
Below are some online guides and training resources which are free to access and can help you get started with literature searching and finding the evidence. There are also resources to help you with essay writing and good referencing.
Healthcare Databases Advanced Search (HDAS) Quick Guide
Healthcare Databases Advanced Search (HDAS) Full User Guide
NICE Evidence Search Quick Guide
Cochrane Library tutorials – There are a range of online tutorials and quick guides available to assist you in searching The Cochrane Library. Live online training webinars are also held regularly and you can sign up to these for free.
BMJ Best Practice videos – There are videos and a user guide available to help you get started using the BMJ Best Practice resource.
Information Literacy Interactive Tutorial – Online tutorial introducing you to the concepts of information literacy produced by the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Sciences.
Smart Searching – Smart Searching is a short online course which provides tips and tricks to enhance your literature search techniques and to develop and test your search strategies. The course is free to access and has been produced by healthcare librarians.
Critical Appraisal for Medical and Health Sciences – This online module produced by the University of Manchester provides an introduction to the concepts of critical appraisal. The course is free to access.
Confidence through Evidence Toolkit – This web-based toolkit produced by the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Sciences aims to help you Acquire, Assess, Adapt and Apply evidence in your practice. Each step includes key questions and signposts to relevant supporting resources aimed at improving your skills and confidence in each of these areas.
Harvard Referencing Tool – An easy-to-use online tool from the University of Portsmouth to assist you with citing your references using the Harvard Referencing style.
Guide to Management Information Sources Online – Matt Holland’s (North West Ambulance Service) excellent guide to navigating Management Information resources on the internet.
e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH Hub) -Access thousands of online modules covering subjects audiology to anaesthesia, dentistry to dermatology, electronic fetal monitoring to end of life care, primary care to prescribing, safeguarding children to statutory and mandatory training. All content is nationally quality-assured and available 24/7. The online training sessions enhance traditional learning, support existing teaching methods and provide a valuable reference point. You can login to the hub using your OpenAthens password.
Writing for Publication – A guide to writing and publishing a scientific or clinical manuscript from BioMed Central.
Top Tips for Research – Leaflets written by the Council for Allied Health Professions Research (CAHPR) on top tips for things like getting published, using social media, running a journal club etc.