Skip to content

The library can support researchers in many different ways: from finding and managing research to support for open access requirements.

Below you will find some useful information about conducting research. This is complemented by our research support programme, which consists of a series of bookable training sessions to help you benefit from the full range of resources and services provided by the library. If you do not see the course you want, or if you would like additional support, please contact your liaison librarian.

View all Close all
Finding the research

Your liaison librarian can help you plan your search and identify appropriate resources for your topic, and training sessions are available for key search tools such as Ovid and EBSCO.

Our Principles of effective literature searching guide offers a step-by-step guide to the basics of conducting a search. Additional guides for key resources can be found on our help pages.

We can also conduct literature searches on your behalf through our Clinical and Research Enquiry Services (CARES).

Systematic reviews

For an overview of the systematic review process, including in-depth literature searching and managing/documenting your results, book a place on our ‘Systematic reviews – finding and managing the evidence’ training session.

You may also find the following guides useful:

Evaluating the research

You will find information about how to evaluate the resources you find in our subject guides.

Managing the research
RefWorks

The university has a site licence for RefWorks - a web-based reference management tool. RefWorks allows you to import references from online resources. For guidance on using the tool, see our RefWorks LibGuide or book onto a training session.

Other reference management tools
Resource and descriptionLinks and access

Cite this for me
An online tool that enables you to collect bibliographic details and use them to automatically generate formatted citations and references, in a wide choice of styles.

Freely available, but to save bibliographies/access premium features you will need to pay for an account.

EndNote Basic
(Formerly EndNote Web) Works with the EndNote desktop application, but can also be used as a basic standalone tool for collecting, organising and formatting references.

Freely available. St George's, University of London staff and students can access an enhanced version by registering through Web of Science. Click on My EndNote Web in the top right, and then click on Register.

Mendeley
A freely available reference manager. Mendeley allows you to save and organise your research, cite and create bibliographies in Microsoft Word, and to collaborate with others.

Registration and download required.

Zotero for Firefox
Free tool to collect, organise, cite, and share your research sources. Available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Integration with Microsoft Word or OpenOffice, for in-text citations and bibliographies, is provided via plug-ins.

Freely available. Requires download and installation of a Firefox extension. 

Zotero Standalone
Zotero Standalone is a separate, browser-independent application, but it is almost identical to the Zotero for Firefox extension. Available for Windows only.

Freely available. Requires download and installation. 

Keeping up to date

For an overview of current awareness services for healthcare information, see our guide (PDF) or book a bespoke training session with your Liaison Librarian.

Alerts

Use our customised CARES alerts service to be regularly updated in your research field.

Social media

A range of free social and professional networking tools, including ResearchGate, Academia.edu, Mendeley and The Conversation are available to help researchers keep up-to-date.

Citation sharing tools such as Zotero (add-on for the Firefox browser) and CiteULike can help you find, manage and share references with other researchers in your field.

If you are new to using social media, this guide from Newcastle University is a helpful introduction to a variety of tools that can be used at all stages in the research process. You may also want to explore the guidelines for St George’s, University of London staff(St George’s login required).

Library staff also run training sessions on using Twitter.
Useful links

 

Find a profileSearch by A-Z