Health sciences.
Finding and reading research.

Start with the question, not the search engine

An overly broad search often produces a collection that is difficult to use. First write down the concept you want to understand, the task you need the information for and which type of document might help. A foundational question and a comparison of interventions require different reading.

If your topic connects disciplines, keep a shared vocabulary and record alternative terms. The same concept may have different names in medicine, nursing, psychology or rehabilitation publications.

Two resources with different roles

PubMed helps locate references and abstracts in biomedical literature and links to full texts elsewhere when available. Finding a reference does not mean the complete document is open access.

Cochrane produces systematic reviews to synthesise research on health questions. A literature search and a systematic review are different products: one locates documents; the other applies a method of synthesis.

A common record for comparing documents

• Question: what does the document seek to explain or compare?
• Design: is it a study, review, guideline or teaching chapter?
• Context: which people, location or setting does it consider?
• Finding: what did it observe and which limitations does it acknowledge?
• Reference: title, authors, year, link and access date.

Do not rank reading only by popularity or the strength of a headline. A useful reference for one task may be insufficient for another.

From a broad search to a reading route

Start with a text that clarifies vocabulary. Then find a synthesis of the topic and return to original publications when you need to examine a specific claim. Keep a record of your searches and exclusions so you can resume the work and explain your selection.

As the question becomes more precise, move to the relevant specialty. To compare formats and sources, visit medical publications and resources. These reading routes support learning and are not care protocols.