Research Toolkit
Last updated: October 2025
Library resources
The library has a wide selection of book on all aspects of research. Search the catalogue to see what books and e-books are available. If there are specific books you need and we don’t have in stock we can often borrow a copy for you from another library – get in touch for more information.
Training
The library runs a number of different courses on searching for literature, systematic reviews, critical appraisal, and general research skills. Find out more by visiting our training page at the link below, or contact the library on ecn-tr.stafflibrary@nhs.net.
Searching for literature
Evidence-based resources
Below are a list of platforms you can use to search for literature. Sign in with your NHS Athens account to access full texts.
- Information on the databases available to you and how to search them
- BrowZine: See all of the library’s journal holdings.
- NHS Knowledge and Library Hub: Search across the library’s holdings, databases like Medline, Embase and CINAHL, and NICE pathways and guidelines.
- Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews
- Trip Database
- PubMed (Medline): Use this link to include the library’s journal holdings in your search results.
- Directory of Open Access Journals
Grey literature
Grey literature is the term for material not published by commercial publishers. It incorporates a wide range of valuable research-based material.
- Index of grey literature: Includes alternative sources and targeted towards public health research.
- Grey literature for STEMM: Includes sources of grey literature and how to find it.
- EThOS (E-Theses Online Service): The British Library’s online thesis repository. The full service is currently unavailable due to a cyber attack, but all theses in EThOS prior to October 2023 can be found on the British Library catalogue.
- OpenDoar: A directory of open access repositories.
Literature searching guides
- How to use the Cochrane Library
- Videos on searching the Trip Database
- Search Filters Resource: Guides for using search filters on different databases.
- Yale MeSH Analyser: Paste in the PMIDs for the papers you already have and it will generate lists of MeSH terms that you can use to search for more papers.
- Video: Ovid database basic search techniques.
- Video: Creating a basic search in EBSCOhost.
- Video: How to translate a Medline search into Embase.
Statistics
Guides for understanding statistics and sources of where to find national statistics.
Making sense of statistics
- Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: Methods and statistics tutorials.
- Sense about Science: Making sense of statistics.
- OHE Guide to UK health and health care statistics.
- JASP: Open-source statistical analysis software.
- Video: Introduction to JASP.
Sources of data
- UK Government: Research and statistics (filter by different NHS and Public Health organisations).
- NHS England: Statistics.
- NHS Digital: Statistical publications, open data and data products.
- Fingertips: Collection of public health data in themed profiles.
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Health and social care.
- Local data: view the 2021 census data at a local level.
- European Commission: Public health statistics.
- WHO Global Health Observatory: Global health data.
Systematic reviews
The library can provide training on how to conduct a systematic review. For more information or to book a session, contact us on ecn-tr.stafflibrary@nhs.net.
- Cochrane Library: What is a systematic review?
- Cochrane Library: Handbooks and manuals for authors.
For more information about systematic reviews, visit our systematic review toolkit.
Funding
- Action Medical Research for Children: Provides funding for research likely to impact children and young people.
- BMA Foundation: Apply for funding.
- Europe PubMed Central: Grant Finder.
- UK Research and Innovation: Funding finder.
- Wellcome: Find a funding opportunity.
Getting published
Writing for publication
- BioMed Central: Writing resources.
- NHS England: Writing for publication.
- Taylor & Francis: Steps to journal publication.
- Academic Phrasebank: Resources for academic writing.
- Writing in plain English.
- Preparing a poster presentation.
Referencing
Free reference manager software:
The library has 2 licences for EndNote, available on the library computers. Contact the library for more details.
Finding a publisher
Did you know that the library subscribes to BMJ Case Reports? Contact the library for information on how you can submit a case report.
- Guide to predatory publishers and journals.
- Think Check Submit: Resources for identifying trusted publishers.
- Jane: Insert your paper title or abstract for suggestions of relevant journals.
- A brief guide to preprints.
- Jisc open policy finder.
Further resources
- Understanding Health Research.
- Royal College of Nursing (RCN): Nursing research.
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR): Research Design Service North West.
- Critical appraisal resources.
- Embedded Research: Increasing the influence of health services research on decisions about the improvement and redesign of NHS services.
- EQUATOR: Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research.
- NHS Health Research Authority: Research ethics service.
- NHS Research and Development North West.
- UKCRC Registered Clinical Trials Units Network.
- University of York: The Research Room Podcast – including an episode about the DIDACT Study, which the Trust is a part of.