Searching the Literature: Searching the Databases

Use these bullet points as prompts when developing your search strategy.

• Has the research question been correctly translated into research concepts (PICO)
• Have the correct spelling of words (English & American spelling) been checked?
• Have I missed key subject headings?
• Have I combined the correct line numbers of my search using the appropriate Boolean operator.
• Can my search strategy be adapted into other databases?
• Do I need OR have I applied appropriate limits to my search - age, years, type of studies

Resources to assist in designing a search strategy

• Searching OVID Medline [subject guide]
• Flinders University. Database Syntax Guide for Systematic Reviewers. [pdf]
• Turning search terms into a search strategy- [3 Min.] Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, Oxford

• Researching for your literature review: Develop a search strategy. Monash University Library [subject guide]

It is important to use the correct Boolean operator in the right sequence.  

The Boolean search operators are OR AND, NOT. You can use these operators to create a very broad or very narrow search.

For all similar terms use the OR boolean operator.

Then use the AND boolean operator to combine all the groups together