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Information Skills: Searching

Tutorials, demonstrations and guides from LKS ASE

Managing your search results

Searching databases to find relevant journal articles and other forms of publication is a first step.  Additional steps you might consider are to:

  • collect and store references from different databases and the web;
  • organise your references in a way that supports your research;
  • source and store the full text of journal articles and publications;
  • annotate and highlight information important to your research;
  • share references with co-authors, collaborators and colleagues;
  • share references with  your word processing software to cite references in text and format bibliographies using your required citation standard.  

These steps can be achieved by using reference management software or RMS.  References can seamlessly export from major databases such as MEDLINE (EBSCO) and imported into all RMS using the RIS export standard.  Additionally some databases allow you to export in a format specifically designed for your RMS such as EndNote or Mendeley. 

Free to use bibliographic management software

Register with these web services to download a free desktop version of their reference management software. 

Register online to use MyEndNote web.  A free to use web based version of EndNote.  You have to buy the full desktop version of EndNote

Managing your search results - YouTube

YouTube may be blocked on some NHS computers. 

Managing your search results - Vimeo

EBSCO Personal Folders - YouTube

YouTube may be blocked on some NHS computers.

Suggested reading

Holland, M., 2012. Reference management software for students, researchers and academics.  Journal of Paramedic Practice.  4(8), 484-487. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net

Guide to managing your search results