Characterization of the research guidance service in scientific databases

Libraries offer a range of information literacy services as part of the traditional suite of reference services. At the Sectoral Library of the Centro de Ciências da Saúde – Medicina, the most frequently requested service is guidance for research in scientific databases. This service encompasses the development of complex search strategies and user training in the effective use of these databases. Accordingly, this article aims to characterize this specific service. The study is exploratory in nature and adopts a case study approach based on data extracted from library service records between 2021 and 2022. During this period, the number of consultations increased by 53%. Master’s students are the primary users of the service, and across all academic levels—undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral—the nursing program stands out as the most frequently served. This trend is also reflected in the research topics: “nursing” was among the most common descriptors in both years, followed by “Covid-19,” “primary health care,” and “child.” The findings underscore the library’s essential role in enhancing the quality of academic research. Users are supported in their research efforts, develop greater autonomy in constructing search expressions, and acquire the skills to navigate scientific databases more effectively.