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Responsible Literature Searching Guide

Literature Search Process

Objectives

After reviewing this section, the reader will:

  • Demonstrate the steps in performing a literature search
  • Explain how the Search Strategy Worksheet helps to develop a search plan.

Literature Search Tips

The literature search is a key component of the Research Cycle. Searching the literature is similar to taking a trip. The suggested steps can be likened to a roadmap. The searcher needs to understand the trip’s purpose, plan how to reach the destination, and be able to take an alternate route, as well as retrace the steps taken back to the original starting point. Steps include:

  1. State the research topic/clinical question as an answerable question. It is helpful to use a consistent method – such as PICO(M) or its variants – to structure the research topic/clinical question. A well-formulated question provides the foundation for a relevant and focused search.
  2. Identify appropriate information sources. It is important to understand the major bibliographic databases and other sources of primary, secondary, and tertiary information and identify where to search based on the nature and scope of the research topic/clinical question. Searchers should not rely exclusively on a single database.
  3. Identify possible search terms, keywords, and synonyms – based on the concepts identified in the PICO(M). To perform a responsible search, it is important to understand the differences between searching using controlled vocabulary/subject headings versus keywords, as well as when to apply other search techniques.
  4. Conduct the search. Use controlled vocabulary/subject headings (if available), keywords, and/or a combination of both to search the online databases. Use Boolean operators (OR, AND or NOT) or proximity operators to link concepts or express relationships between terms.
  5. Apply limits. Use limits to narrow search results to relevant citations.
  6. Refine and save search. The subject specialist determines whether the searched databases and other information resources addresses the research topic/clinical question. When completing a database search, it is important to achieve a balance between precision or specificity and recall or sensitivity. It is recommended to register for a personal account in frequently-used databases to set up alerts and save the search strategy.

(Jankowski, 2008; Patrick & Munro, 2004; Waltho, Kaur, Haynes, Farrokhyar, & Thoma, 2015)

Search Worksheets

Search strategy worksheets are available to organize the search plan and keep track of the search process.

Researcher/Clinician

Nurses

The following two forms can be found by searching the book, Evidenced-Based Practice in Action:  Comprehensive Strategies, Tools, and Tips from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, below.

References

Cullen, L., Hanrahan, K., Sigma Theta Tau International, Farrington, M., DeBerg, J., Tucker, S., & Kleiber, C. (2018). Evidence-Based Practice In Action: Comprehensive Strategies, Tools, and Tips From The University of Iowa Hospitals And Clinics. Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International.

Jankowski, T. A. (2008). The Medical Library Association Essential Guide to Becoming an Expert Searcher: Proven Techniques, Strategies, and Tips for Finding Health Information. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers.

Patrick, L. J., & Munro, S. (2004). The literature review: demystifying the literature search. Diabetes Educ, 30(1), 30-34, 36-38. doi:10.1177/014572170403000106

Waltho, D., Kaur, M. N., Haynes, R. B., Farrokhyar, F., & Thoma, A. (2015). Users' guide to the surgical literature: how to perform a high-quality literature search. Can J Surg, 58(5), 349-358. doi:10.1503/cjs.017314