Journal Clubs

Selecting an article for a journal club involves several key steps to ensure the discussion is engaging, relevant, and educational for all participants. Here’s a summary of the steps to take:

Identify Relevant Topics

• Purpose: Determine the primary goal of the session (e.g., staying updated, learning new methodologies, applying evidence to practice). If you aren't sure, discuss with program leadership, a mentor, or supervising faculty member.
• Audience: Consider the interests and expertise levels of the participants.
• Current Trends: Focus on recent advancements or hot topics in the field.
• Clinical Relevance: Choose topics that have direct implications for clinical practice or research. Articles relevant to a recent challenging case or topics with conflicting evidence may spark interest and discussion.

Search for Articles

• Databases: Use reputable databases like PubMed or journals in your field to search for articles.
• Search Terms: Utilize relevant keywords and subject terms to narrow down the search.
• Recommended Search Strategies: See tab above for recommended search strategies developed by librarians for identifying potential articles for a journal club.

Evaluate Article Quality

• Journal: Consider the reputation of the journal where the article is published. If you are unsure, use a checklist to evaluate journal quality.
• Author Credentials: Look at the qualifications and reputation of the authors and potential conflicts of interest.
• Study Design: Assess the robustness of the research methods and study design (e.g., randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews). Was the selected study design appropriate for the research question?
• Bias: Bias can occur at various stages of the research process and can significantly affect the validity and reliability of a study’s findings. Critical appraisal tools can help you identify potential sources of bias in a study.
• Retractions: Examine the article for notes about corrections or retractions; databases often label articles when they have been corrected or retracted. You can also check Retraction Watch.

Check for Accessibility

• Full Text: Ensure the full text of the article is accessible to all participants. AskMSL if you need help with this.
• Linking to Articles: Share articles with participants using permalinks. Check out our tips for creating article permalinks for guidance on creating links.
• Supplementary Materials: Articles often include supplementary materials such as research data, figures, and images that are not embedded in the full text of the article. These materials are typically linked separately from the article PDF. it is important to check for any supplementary materials that might be useful for the discussion.