Research Support and Consultation

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday - Friday
Phone: 217-545-2113 
Email: reference@siumed.edu

Service Overview

The Medical Library provides Literature Search Services to support SIUSOM students, staff, faculty, and residents’ educational and research needs.

Please complete the literature search form to submit a request.

Request a Literature Search

Library faculty will:

  • Develop a robust search strategy based on the information provided by the requestor.
  • Provide search strategy details via Word document and/or provide citations as an EndNote file.
  • Offer consultations services to requestors seeking additional guidance on literature search processes and methodologies. 

Library faculty will not:

  • Synthesize data or otherwise interpret results.
  • Complete literature searches for course assignments (this includes scholarly projects for DMSc students). Please email reference@siumed.edu for assistance with course assignments.

Service Levels

The Medical Library offers three service levels for literature searches. Please review the table below to determine which tier best aligns with your research needs. Librarians retain the right to change service levels to accurately reflect the nature of the work being conducted.

Service LevelBest ForWhat to Expect
Clinical SearchFinding evidence-based materials for focused clinical questions that may be time sensitive ("I need recent evidence to guide a clinical decision").
  • Search conducted in 1 database (usually PubMed).
  • Summary of search approach, instructions to access results.
  • Curated list of potentially relevant articles and/or other evidence-based materials relevant to question.
Exploratory SearchEarly-stage research and background information ("I'm starting a project and want to see what's out there"). 
  • Searches conducted in 1-2 databases appropriate for research question.
  • Summary of search approach, instructions to access results.
  • Amount of literature searched varies, but will likely be more than what is found with a Clinical Search.
  • Consultation encouraged but not required.
Advanced Research SupportEvidence synthesis projects or highly complex research topics ("I'm planning to do a systematic or scoping review"). 
  • At least one required consultation with a librarian in order to effectively plan the search. Additional consultations may be scheduled as needed.
  • Comprehensive, reproducible search strategies conducted in multiple appropriate resources (determined at consultation).
  • Guidance on appropriate literature review methods for intended project.
  • Summary of search approach, instructions to access results.
  • Patrons should expect to receive large quantities of search results depending on the research topic.

Request Turnaround Time

We receive a high volume of search requests. Turnaround times for each request will vary depending on question complexity, desired service level, and librarian availability. After your request is submitted, a librarian will reach out to you within 3 days to confirm any details about your request and provide an estimated completion date.

Due to the in-depth and time-intensive nature of this work, library faculty can only work on a limited number of literature searches at a time. The service may not be immediately available if we have already reached our maximum capacity. In such cases, we will contact you with an estimated start date. 

If you would like to get started conducting a literature search on your own, we recommend reviewing our Responsible Literature Searches guide for tips and best practices.  

The Medical Library is happy to collaborate with fellow educators to deliver information literacy instruction to School of Medicine faculty, staff, students, and residents. These sessions are tailored to meet group or class needs and cover specific research tools and skills. 
Instruction sessions can include, but are not limited to:

  • Practice using databases and resources relevant to class needs.
  • Learning to use bibliographic management programs such as EndNote.
  • Introduction to the research process and literature search basics.
  • Please complete the request form to schedule a library instruction session that will meet the needs of your group or class.

Request Library Instruction

Need more assistance? Send us a question! Ask a librarian for assistance with:

  • Scheduling a one-on-one research consultation.
  • Questions about a specific book, journal, or database.
  • Finding materials and resources in the Library.

Ask a Librarian!