The Schaffer Library provides basic and advanced levels of literature searching.
The volume of searches in the queue, as well as the comprehensiveness and urgency of a search will determine the turnaround time.
If time-sensitive information is needed for patient care,
call 518-262-5532.
Request a Basic Search
Librarians will perform generalized searches to provide an overview of a subject or answer a specific clinical, research, or health science related question.
Request an Advanced Search
Librarians will perform comprehensive searches to provide an in-depth investigation of the published literature related to clinical or basic science research. This may include:
- Refining a research question
- Drafting search strategy for review
- Providing advice on relevant databases to search
- Executing search strategies in multiple databases
- Eliminating duplicate results
- Creating automated database search alerts
- Delivering search results
- Documenting search methodology for manuscript publication
Librarians can provide support for the following types of literature reviews:
Narrative/Traditional Review
Purpose: To identify literature published in a subject area with the aim of summarizing the findings and drawing conclusions.
Time Frame: Days/weeks to months
Methodology: Analysis of current knowledge on a topic.
Rapid Review
Purpose: To evaluate what is already known about a topic, typically a policy or practice issue.
Time Frame: A few weeks/months
Methodology: Systematic process with critical appraisal.
Scoping Review
Purpose: To identify the full scope of evidence already published or in progress about a topic with the goal of categorizing key concepts and research gaps. Often used as a preliminary step before conducting a systematic review.
Time Frame: 6 - 18 months
Methodology: Comprehensive assessment of the literature. Thoroughness of search defined by time and scope considerations. Searches must be well-documented according to established standards and with reproducible results; see PRISMA for Scoping Reviews. Typically, a team of two or more reviewers participate.
The following articles provide overviews of the wide variety of literature reviews:
Grant MJ, Booth A. A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Info Libr J. 2009 Jun;26(2):91-108. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x. Review. PubMed PMID: 19490148.
Sutton A, Clowes M, Preston L, Booth A. Meeting the review family: exploring review types and associated information retrieval requirements. Health Info Libr J. 2019 Sep;36(3):202-222. doi: 10.1111/hir.12276. PMID: 31541534.
EndNote is a bibliographic software management tool that allows you to locate, organize, format, manage and share your references from searches. The Library has a site license for EndNote, which permits distribution of the software to Albany Med faculty, staff and students.
Important Notes
- To avoid data corruption, do not store or save libraries on a thumb drive or in cloud-syncing folders such as DropBox, OneDrive, Box or SugarSync.
- Backup the EndNote libraries on your device by syncing with EndNote Online. Register for EndNote Online using the EndNote client on your device: from the Library tab, select the Sync option, click the Sign Up button and create an account.
Visit the EndNote Training Site or contact the Library to schedule a tutorial/class at 518-262-5532 or [email protected]. EndNote Technical Support is available online or by phone at 855-258-5858.
The Schaffer Library's YouTube channel has tutorial videos on using EndNote, Sakai, Qualtrics, PubMed and Web of Science, among other informational videos. Contact us for research & publishing assistance: 518-262-5532 or [email protected].
One-click search for books about medical/scientific writing methods:
Books from the Library collection
Guidelines and advice:
The NCBI Style Guide
PLOS - Ten Simple (Empirical) Rules for Writing Science
More information on writing, publishing, and plagiarism are available via instructional videos on the Schaffer Library YouTube page.
Writing for Specific Journals
Locate the Journal's Instruction for authors. Follow guidelines for article types and manuscript and reference styles.
Example: Annals of Internal Medicine Information for Authors
Scientific Integrity
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is passing off another person's work as your own and is a serious writing offense. Learn what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it in your work.
Knowing and Avoiding Plagiarism During Scientific Writing
Artificial Intelligence
To promote scientific integrity, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) should always be disclosed. Prior to manuscript submission, the journal author instructions should be reviewed for appropriate AI inclusion. For educational purposes, please review the course Sakai site for approved AI usage and policy.
Traditional Model
Publish in a journal with subscription access wherein users pay for the entire content of the journal or individual articles.
Considerations:
- Comfort in publishing in a more traditional setting
- Only those with a subscription have access to the articles
- Publisher retains copyright*
Open Access Model
"... the free, immediate, online availability of research articles coupled with the rights to use these articles fully in the digital environment." (SPARC - Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition)
Considerations:
- Articles are immediately available to the public
- Open access publishers usually charge article processing fees
- Authors retain copyright*
Hybrid Model
Articles are open access after the author, their academic institution or their research sponsor pay an article processing charge, although there are other articles in the journal that are not open access.
Considerations:
- There may be an embargo period (usually 6 - 12 months) during which electronic access to your article is restricted.
- There may be restrictions on self-archiving a version of the article.
Overview of Scholarly Publishing (YouTube)
*Copyright as defined by The U.S. Copyright Office is “A form of protection provided by the laws of the United States for "original works of authorship", including literary, dramatic, musical, architectural, cartographic, choreographic, pantomimic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, and audiovisual creations. "Copyright" literally means the right to copy but has come to mean that body of exclusive rights granted by law to copyright owners for protection of their work.”
Where you publish matters, consider:
Discoverability
Publish in a title that's indexed. Reputable peer-reviewed publications are included in well-known indexes such as PubMed.
Reputation of the Journal
The right choice can enhance career advancement, collaboration and grant funding opportunities.
Journal Metrics
Measure, compare, and rank research and scholarly publications.
Journal Citation Reports
Evaluates and compares journals by using citation data; including, most frequently cited journals, highest impact journals, and largest journals in a field.
Essential Science Indicators (ESI)
Analytics database on research performance, including journals, researchers, and institutions in 22 research fields.
Scopus Sources
Includes three recommended metrics on one site:
- Citescore - Scopus' free ranking system that measures the impact of journals.
- SNIP (Source Normalized Impact per Paper) - Enables direct comparison of journals in different subject fields.
- SJR (SCImago Journal Rank) - A rank based on the prestige of the journal; indicators used for ranking are subject field, quality and reputation of the journal.
Best Match for Your Content
These tools offer journal suggestions based on the title, abstract or keywords that describe your publication.
Web of Science Match Manuscript - Requires free registration.
JANE (Journal/Author Name Estimator)
Some publishers have manuscript matchers that are specific to their own publications. Elsevier is an example.
!Think ✓Check >Submit
Use the !Think ✓Check >Submit tool to help you choose the right journal or publisher for your research.
Journal Publication Cycle, Or, Where Did My Paper Go and Will I Ever See it Again? (YouTube)
A case report is a detailed report of the symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of an individual patient. Case reports usually describe an unusual or novel occurrence. Most journals publish case reports that deal with one or more of the following:
- Unusual observations
- Adverse response to therapies
- Unusual combination of conditions leading to confusion
- Illustration of a new theory
- Question regarding a current theory
- Personal impact
Guidelines To Writing A Clinical Case Report
Heart Views, vol 18, 104–105 (2017).
Patient authorization must be received before you use PHI for a case report. For more information contact the Albany Med Institutional Review Board at 518-262-5181 or [email protected]
Case reports are often published in open access journals with author processing charges. Consider submitting case reports to:
Albany Med faculty, staff and students may publish without paying individual fellowship fees through the Library's institutional fellowship agreement with BMJ.
Contact us for more information.
“Predatory journals and publishers are entities that prioritize self-interest at the expense of scholarship and are characterized by false or misleading information, deviation from best editorial and publication practices, a lack of transparency, and/or the use of aggressive and indiscriminate solicitation practices.”
Nature Summit Consensus Definition
Grudniewicz, D, et. al. Nature, vol 576, 210-212 (2019).
Take Action
Predatory Journals - What Can We Do to Protect Their Prey?
Laine C, Babski D, Bachelet VC, et al. New England Journal of Medicine, vol 392(3), 283-285 (2025)
!Think ✓Check >Submit
Use the !Think ✓Check >Submit tool to help you choose the right journal or publisher for your research.
Albany Med Research Publications
Publications and research by Albany Med faculty, staff and students can be found at the links below.
Student Research Recruitment Platform
The Student Research Recruitment Platform is used to recruit medical students to participate in research projects and to close recruitment for a project. Information about research projects submitted on this form will be shared with all medical students. Interested students will reach out to the contact person named in the submission.
Contact the Library for assistance: 518-262-5532 | [email protected]