Book Review

Completing a trio of research-related reviews, this slender little number provides an alternative focus on research. Not concerned with conducting research or interpreting it, rather how it can be accessed. Gone are the days when a rudimentary search on Google (and other well-known search engines!) will yield a comprehensive list of relevant research to your needs.

Just as research techniques have developed over time and research topics have becoming increasingly varied, so have the mechanisms for accessing it. The primacy now placed on evidence-based medicine has propelled clinical research into the domain of any health professional and paramedic practice is no exception to the rule. Similarly, a number of information sources for patients are included here, as are sources for those responsible for commissioning services so the content is relevant to a wide readership.

Whatever the purpose of the researcher, this book will help to search and access an increasing number of healthcare databases and also provide useful tips on using more traditional sources such as medical libraries and paper journals. Developing a search strategy has more components to it than you may think with clinical queries, methodological filters, author search, keywords and alerts all playing a part. Refining and reviewing search results are also relevant topics covered in these pages.