Making the mountain into a mole hill

There are some easy strategies you can employ to reduce the sheer volume of information you are faced with

Formulate a clearly focused question

PICO

Use these as search terms in your search engine...

Focus on good quality sources

There are many people who spend their time creating good quality information from good quality research.

These "Secondary sources" contain summaries of the research that is already out there.

Here are some examples:

  • Cochrane Library
  • Clinical evidence
  • Best Treatments
  • NHS Choices
One thing to bear in mind is that they may be out of date with the latest research.

Look for other people asking the same question

"There's nothing new under the sun" The chances are someone has already asked the question..

In the ThinkWell discussion forum.

Page last edited: 09 December 2009