Useful Resources

The following are some of the links to useful resources to help your research. Please contact us if you need further help with the resources

Clinical Guidelines

NICE Guidelines – Guidelines from NICE, browse by Topic/health conditions

TRIP – aims to deliver the highest quality literature to support evidence based practice. The content includes evidence-based guidelines.

SIGN – Evidence based clinical practice guidelines for the NHS in Scotland.

Systematic Reviews

Cochrane Library – Databases of high quality evidence on the effects of healthcare interventions and treatments.

Health Care Databases– Search the databases from different provider platforms including journal articles and systematic reviews

OTseeker– database for occupational therapy

PEDro – Physiotherapy evidence database

PROSPERO – An international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews

TRIP – The content includes systematic reviews

Clinical Trials

Cochrane Library – The Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) database is a searchable register of controlled trials.

Current Controlled Trials – You can search, register and share information about randomised controlled trials.

Statistics

UK National Statistics – Gateway to UK national statistics

Local Authority Health Profiles – Local health statistics

ONS Neighbourhood Statistics – Local statistics within a geographic area

NHS Digital– This catalogue contains the official statistical publications

Department of Health – official statistics published by Department of Health

Cancer Research UK – Cancer statistics including incidence, survival, mortality

National Patient Safety Data 

Public Health Profiles

Data.gov.uk

Literature Searches

Searching literature effectively– elearning from eLfH , 7 modules ( use OpenAthens to login)

Literature search process- guidance for NHS Researchers

Guide to sources of information

Pubmed Tutorials

Critical Appraisal

Critically appraising the evidence base – elearning programme from eLfH  (use OpenAthens to login)

1. Introduction to critical appraisal  
2. Explanation about CASP toolkits 
3. Critical appraisal of a qualitative study
4. Critical appraisal of a quantitative study 

• Videos produced by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust Library Service and the Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Group are available on:
  • Introduction to critical appraisal
  • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses 
  • Randomised controlled trials 
  • Cohort studies
  • Case control studies 
  • Cross sectional studies 
  • Diagnostic studies 
• The JBI Critical appraisal tools
• The CASP checklists

Grey Literature

Index of grey literature and alternative sources and resource (resources link to public Health England)

OpenGrey – System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe

Grey Matters– search tool for health related grey literature.

Writing for Publication

PRISMA –   aims to help authors improve the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

CONSORT – check list for RCTs

EQUATOR network   -Reporting guidelines for main study types, one-stop-shop for writing and publishing high-impact health research

Writing for publication Workforce, training and education, NHS England. FAQs on choosing where to submit, writing, review and post publication activity.

Writing for publication: Top Tips.(PDF) Knowledge Management Team, Health Education England.  Presentation on key considerations when writing articles for publication.

Writing for publication Knowledge and Library Service, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Our colleagues at Doncaster have collated an extensive list of resources to support staff with writing up their research activity. This includes recordings of a range of research workshops hosted at the Trust covering topics such as turning your dissertation into an article, using reference management software to make your writing easier, and an overview of the publication process for novice writers.

Becoming the Editor’s Pick: Key Strategies for Drafting Manuscripts for Publication(PDF). Elsevier Research Masterclass 2023, hosted at LTHT. Comprehensive set of slides from Dr Ximena Alvira, Clincial and Research Manager at Elsevier. Gives an insight into the decision making of journal editors, and tips to present your manuscript clearly.A shortened version of the event was hosted in 2024 – View updated 2024 slides.

Producing Posters and Conference Abstracts

Making a Research Poster Knowledge and Library Service, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Collated links to articles and videos on creating research posters.

How to Write a Conference Abstract Temple University Library. Guide from a US university, aimed at healthcare students, offering a clear overview of why and how to submit to conferences. Specifically covers how to write abstracts on QI projects and case reports.

Writing an effective conference abstract British Journal of Cardiac Nursing. Guidance on developing a strategy for writing a competitive and high quality abstract to increase the likelihood of it being accepted at a targeted conference. Article is from a nursing journal but includes good general advice.

Reference Management

Information, user guides and how to manage some free reference management software ( Mendley, Zotero, Colwiz) from Stirling University

Other Resources

Other useful resources

National Institute for Health Research

Health Research Authority (HRA)

Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Heath Research and Care for North West London (CLAHRC)

CW+