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Literature Search Service: Literature Search

Guide outlining the literature search service

Literature Search Service

Photo of person typing on computer keyboard. Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash. Are you looking for evidence-based resources to support a quality project, guideline update, policy development, patient care or research?

Whether you are after a comprehensive search of the literature or assistance with finding and identifying two or three critical sources relevant to your topic, SA Health reference librarians will search across a range of key databases to find relevant articles for your topic. 

The literature search service is open to all SA Health staff. While you do not need to be a library member to use the service, you are encouraged to register for library membership so that you can access the full suite of library resources. 

We require up to 15 business days to conduct a standard search, although urgent requests are accommodated whenever possible.

To request a literature search simply fill out the online request form

Request a literature search

Urgent requests

If a literature search is needed urgently for patient care, please contact the library ahead of submitting the online literature search request form. This will enable the library to understand your information needs, as well as prioritise your search.

How the service works

To make a literature search request you will need to complete the online literature search request form.

This form will step you through the information required by library staff to conduct a search on your behalf, such as your search topic or question and the approximate number of articles that you would like to receive.

You will also be asked to specify how you would like to receive the results of the search (email, Word document or Endnote-compatible format). The search results will generally include links to the full-text articles included in the search results.

As each literature search request is unique, once your request has been received, the library staff member who will be undertaking your search may contact you to clarify your topic and requirements.


Review or revisit a previous search

You can view the results of previous literature search requests via the online portal using your request reference number and the email address with which you made the request. View previous requests.


Help and further information

If you are having difficulty making a request, or would like further information on the literature search service, please contact the library.