[Free-text search]
Enter your own search terms on key fields such as title, author and keyword. To view the whole list of publications hit the 'Go' button on the Title field.

[Use predefined keyword tags to search the library]
Use the comprehensive resource tagging system for a systematic information retrieval approach

This version of the electronic library is available to the public and does not retrieve information from the full catalogue, but only those publications for which consent has been givento allow them to be publicly available.

The full catalogue is available only to West Midlands Public Health Network (WMeHNET) members. If you want to know more about this, please go to the [WMeHNET log in page].

Who Provides the Content?

The library is still being populated and is expected to increase dramatically in size as the library is promoted and used.

Only members of the West Midlands Public Health Network (WMeHNET) can include resources in the library using an electronic submission form or its pdf version. These are both available in the WMeHNET website. Please go to the [WMeHNET log in page] to know more or alternatively contact the [webmaster].

What Kind of Material should I submit?

Examples of materials suitable for inclusion could include

Policy/Strategy Documents - e.g. PCTs Health Improvement and Modernisation Programmes.
Formal Reports - e.g. Research reports on Health Inequalities Issues.
Guidelines e.g. Guidance on dealing with head lice outbreaks.
Presentations e.g. PPT slides from conference on smoking cessation.
Newsletters/bulletins e.g. Bimonthly newsletter for specialist networks.
Promotional Material e.g. Leaflet on alcohol consumption and abuse.

For further information go to the [Frequently Asked Questions] page.

[Grey Literature Home Page ] [F.A.Q.s] [Links ] [Back to Menu]

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the criteria for inclusion of resources in the library database?

The document types that the library of grey literature supports are the following:

Formal reports - example - DPH annual reports, inequalities report.

Short reports - example - WMPHO West Midlands Health Issues - Heart Diseases report.

Policy Documents - example - Information Technology policy, Finance Policy, policy on public health matters.

Training Documents - example -. software training, CPD documents, skills audit materials.

Data Sets - example -. census data, lifestyle data, e.g. smoking.

Promotional/ communication/ marketing literature - example -. patient informaiton leaflets on health lifestyles.

Guidelines documents - example - trust policy on head lice advice.

Organisational bulletins/updates - example - newsletter with information on news projects and initiatives.

Organisational websites - example -. Whilst many websites will contain the types of documents mentioned above, there may be some instances where it may be appropriate to link to a website in general that contains a mixture of these document types alongside other elements such as links, discussion fora and questions.

Case studies.

Survey Reports.

2. What are the criteria for submission of resources to the library database?

The aim of this library is to provide a dissemination mechanism for working documents. WMPHO does not perform any quality criteria checking on the documents in the library, future developments such as the introduction of peer review after a while may provide some for the quality assurance in time.

In order to submit a resource to the library database, the following criteria must be met:

Document origin - the document must be produced via a recognised NHS, educational or other government body.
Document subject - document either has a West Midlands focus or origin.
Document date - A date of origin should be given, so that users of the library are aware of the currency of the material.
We are not in the quality checking business - The introduction of peer review after a while may provide some form of quality

3. What is the keyword tagging system applied for the cataloguing of data?

The resources inputted into the database are catalogued following the tagging system set out by the [Public Health Information Tagging Standard Organisation], in order to allow for easier and more accurate information retrieval. Other public health observatories currently using the PHITS tagging system are [ERPHO] and [SEPHO], however it is expected to achieve full interoperability between all the Public Health Observatories within the next few months.

4. Information on resource hosting e.g. making an electronic document held locally available on the web.

The resource submitter should provide as much information as possible on the resource location. However, the system offers the option to upload the electronic version of the materials onto the server.

The following is a diagram showing the details of the resource locations stored in our library.

Diagram showing the details of resource hosting and locations [click here to view the long description of the image].

5. How can I include a resource?

In order to include a resource you must be a member of the West Midlands Public Health Network (WMeHNET). The log in and registration information are available on the [WMeHNET log in] page.

If you need any further information please contact the [Webmaster].

[Back to Menu]

[Grey Literature Home Page ] [F.A.Q.s] [Links ] [Back to Menu]

Relevant Links

[Public Health Information Tagging Standard Website]

[Eastern Region Public Health Observatory Website]

[South East Region Public Health Observatory Website]

[National Electronic Library of Heatlh Website]

[Public Health Electronic Library Website]

[Back to Menu]