title: Searching and critiquing the research literature.
abstract: This article explores how to search and critique the research literature. This involves explaining how to generate a robust literature review question, search databases in the most effective manner and produce a robust analysis of the literature. The article also outlines how a novice literature reviewer might develop the skills required to undertake a critical analysis of the available evidence. In this manner, the reader is able to present a coherent debate on the state of the literature and how this might be used to construct a comprehensive rationale for why further research or analysis of clinical practice may be needed in relation to a particular topic of interest.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Manchester, Manchester.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wakefield
mesh_terms: D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D017712:Peer Review, Research; D006113:United Kingdom