Search Tools


This area of the website provides information about the different tools needed to conduct expert searches, including search filters, peer review, and much more. These resources may help you to save time and energy when literature searching. Everything you need to attempt, refine and complete a search for evidence, images, articles and more is included here. Not everything requires a formal literature search on through a database (eg Medline or CINAHL), nor can everything be found on Google, Google Scholar or Image Search.

If there is anything you can't find here, but you think should be included please contact us [add link].

Most of the links to resources for searching can now be found on the NHS Knowledge and Libraries Hub, including:

Cochrane Library

NICE Guidance

TRIP database

Databases through Ovid, EbscoHost and Proquest. Information about databases and their providers can be found on HEE's Expert Searching page.


Other useful resources include:

SIGN for Scottish Guidelines

EQUATOR Network for Standards for study designs

NHS's patient-facing information, directories of Trusts etc 

LIGHTS - a living inventory of methods guidance papers