摘要：A MOST challenging field in medical librarianship is research. To some extent all medical libraries have something to do with research, but some libraries because of their nature are bound to be more concerned with research than others. The library is especially important in research' since the search of the literature and the corresponding preparation of the pertinent bibliography are one of the initial and important steps in the research project. There are several reasons for this. A review of the literature may provide the research student with (1) information which may be applied to the presentation or solution of his own problem, (2) the proper background for his study, (3) information as to whether or not he is duplicating the work of other investigators in his field, and (4) the knowledge needed so that he may give credit for the original contribution to the study of diseases in his report. Library research is an important part of any research problem because progress in any field of research is dependent first on the investigator's knowing the past achievements of others in his field of endeavor.
