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Searches

Clients request literature searches which range from relatively straightforward topics to very complex searches to support the production of systematic and other reviews.  Most searches take several hours to complete and searches for systematic reviews take many days to weeks and have particular reporting requirements (PRISMA). Librarians seek peer review of search strategies as part of the process..

Literature Searches 2017 2021
Year # of general searches # of Systematic Review Searches Total # Searches Notes
2022 286 37 323  
2021 354 20 374  
2020 390 6 396 In addition multiple COVID-19 searches were proactively run and used in development of the Library's specialty guide.  Search strategies were worked on and shared by librarians nationally and globally.
2019 418 13 431 Including 7 provided for the Leading Great Care program participants
2018 405 17 422  
2017 387 13 400  

Notes on statistics:

  • Prior to 2022, statistics were derived from the number of folders on the W drive where search results are stored, eg W:\Library\SMHS\Library\Searches 2021. From 2022 they are derived from the LibWizard software used to manage requests.
  • Data capture on searches done for systematic review purposes was changed late in 2017 to separate out searches done for systematic review purposes from general literature searches. 
  • Data has been segregated and more reliably captured for systematic review searches from 2018 onwards.