Online searching
PubMed offers valuable academic journal articles, known as "peer-reviewed" literature. In contrast, "grey literature" includes non-academic sources like annual reports, white papers, standards, and policy documents, usually found online.
You can find grey literature by searching organisational websites or using search engines like Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Unlike content from commercial publishers, grey literature is produced by organisations, governments, industries, or individuals and is often freely available. Check the resource or publication sections of organisational websites for relevant information.
Curious to learn more about grey literature and how to search for it online? Check out our blog series on finding aged care information online. Plus, explore ARIIA's funded projects, which focus on implementing best practices in aged care, which were supported by multiple rounds of grant funding between 2022 and 2024.
Google Advanced ‘one-click’ searches
Searching for grey literature can be a tricky process. To make things a little easier we have created a set of one-click web searches for finding important resources on our aged care topics in Australia. These are separated into searches for information created by and/or held on:
- Organisational websites
A useful option when you want information from reputable non-profit organisations such as Dementia Australia and reduce the number of results from commercial, for-profit companies. - Government websites
Use this option to keep up to date with state or national aged care policies and initiatives, as well as standards and regulations from agencies such as the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. - Educational or research websites
Useful for finding information about courses of learning or research undertaken at universities, TAFE colleges, and specialist research organisations.
You may wish to use these as a starting point for your research and use them to develop your own ongoing searches.
Google searches
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Aged care
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Best Practice
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Clinical governance
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COVID-19
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Dementia care
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Infection control
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Meaningful lifestyle activities
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Mental health and wellbeing
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Nutrition
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Palliative care and end of life
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Rehabilitation and reablement
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Social isolation
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Staff burnout
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Technology in aged care
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Workforce
Using Google Advanced Search
Searching the internet can be time-consuming and overwhelming, but Google’s advanced search makes it easier to find exactly what you need. By using specific keywords, phrases, and filters, you can quickly narrow your search results. You can also refine results by location, language, domain (site), and file type.
The topic searches we've provided are just starting points. You might want to customise them using advanced search or create your own. To help, we've included a guide below, along with a handy PDF you can print for future reference.
Want more sources to search? Try our 'other search sources' for key organisations, below.
There are a number of other sources that may be of interest when searching for research into aged care, a selection of these are:
Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA)
The ARIIA systematic review collection provides monthly updates of systematic reviews relevant to aged care settings.
CareSearch
CareSearch provides access to trustworthy evidence-informed information to support person-centred decision-making and the transition to palliative care.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR)
The CDSR is the leading database for systematic reviews in health care.
Directory of open access journals (DOAJ)
DOAJ is a unique and extensive index of diverse open access journals from around the world.
End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC)
ELDAC comprises a comprehensive website with resources to equip care providers with skills and information to help older Australians receive high-quality end of life care.
Epistemonikos
Epistemonikos is the world's largest systematic review database, curated and annotated by a network of collaborators.
palliAGED
palliAGED is the palliative care evidence and practice information resource for the Australian aged care sector. Providing support for health and care practitioners as well as resource developers, the website also provides trustworthy information for older Australians, their families and friends.