Literature Searches
Literature searches are when we locate credible and relevant sources to answer research questions. In order to locate the best sources, we need to create an organized and systematic search strategy. This means thinking about search terms and databases we should use.
The sources used in our literature searches can include:
Many of our Library Users might find themselves wanting to run a literature search. These resources below can help with that.
Open Access Databases
These databases have free articles. The majority of journals in these databases are reputable, but always perform your due diligence by double-checking!
The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) features open access (free) journals that are vetted and reviewed for quality.
PubMed Central (PMC) is an open access digital repository of articles in the biomedical and life science fields. Also includes papers published with US government funding.
Grey Literature
Research and materials published outside traditional academic and commercial channels are called "grey literature." This can include conference proceedings, white papers, technical reports, preprints, and more. Grey Literature is not peer-reviewed and may contain bias and questionable quality.
Below are some Grey Literature databases and indexes you can search. And here is an eBook on the National Library of Medicine's Bookshelf on Grey Literature.