Exercise 1.

Searching for Scientific Literature

Icebreaker (~5 minutes)

1. Please turn on your video.
2. Each person should start by introducing themselves to the group (name, what area of
science you are interested in and one thing you found was interesting about the video you
just watched (take ~1 minute per student).
3. Nominate one or two members of the group to be the spoke person/s.

Literature search and small group discussion (~30 minutes)

Step 1 (~5 mins) - As a group select from of the following database/ search engines to perform a
literature review on the topic that was provided to your group. You may decide all to use the same
database or different ones, but be prepared to justify your choice

a. Pubmed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
b. Google scholar (https://scholar.google.com.au/)
c. Scopus (https://www.scopus.com/search/form.uri#basic)
d. Web of Science (https://apps.webofknowledge.com/WOS_GeneralSearch_input.do?
product=WOS&search_mode=GeneralSearch&SID=E3isoTagp9NFT2tayIx&preferencesSave
d=_
e. JSTOR (https://www.jstor.org/)
f. Mendeley (https://www.mendeley.com/?interaction_required=true)
g. Or choose one from any available online e.g.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_databases_and_search_engines)

Question 1.: Which database/ search tool did your group choose and why?

Step 2 (~20 mins). As individuals use your chosen database to search for and select ~6 suitable
publications on your assigned scientific topic. Remember to consider (and take note) of things like
the key words you use and any restrictions on your search e.g. type of article or limited dates

Add your reference list in using style below to the shared Google Document your group was
provided. Once everyone has added their choice move on to step 3.

Below is an example of how you should format your reference list in the shared Google Document.

Your name
1. Last name of first author et al (year of publication). Title of article. Journal name, volume, page
numbers. (DOI number)
Step 3 (~5 mins). As a group discuss and answer the following questions. Be prepared for your
nominated spoke person/s to discuss this with the larger tutorial group.

Question 2.: Look over the reference lists in the shared document. How much overlap (if any) was
there in the selected publications?

Question 3.: What factors did individual members of the group consider when selecting specific
papers to include? Did this differ from others in the group? Discuss.