Introduction
A high quality search strategy is essential for any evidence synthesis project. The records retrieved by your searches comprise your dataset. If your search strategy is not comprehensive, your dataset may be flawed, i.e. (missing relevant articles). Any conclusions drawn from this flawed dataset would be suspect.
The purpose of the page is to provide you with an overview of the process and complexity of developing high quality search strategies for an evidence synthesis project. Every project is different; as such, each project will require thoughtful tailoring of the search strategy.
Checklist: am I ready to run my searches and start screening?
You can use the following checklist to help determine whether you are ready to move forward.
Where can I find inspiration for search terms?
- Search filter repositories such as ISSG (remember to cite any filters used)
- Existing systematic reviews or scoping reviews
- Your own knowledge
- Fellow experts knowledge
- Database thesauri/dictionaries
Translating your search
There are a few tools which can assist with translating your search from one database to another. However, the tools currently available are imperfect, and so familiarity with the unique syntax and controlled vocabulary of particular databases is essential to ensuring that your searches will function as intended.
Tools:
- Embase's PubMed-to-Embase translator.
Learn more in the video here. - The Bond University Systematic Review Accelerator's Polyglot Search.
(Keep in mind, the Polyglot search will not translate controlled vocabulary terms from one database to another; it will simply place them into the correct syntax. You will still need to look up the appropriate term in each new database's dictionary of terms.)
Reporting your searches
Accurately and transparently reporting your searches in your manuscript is essential. Reporting standards for systematic reviews (PRISMA 2020) and scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) require authors to report this information.
In the case of PRISMA 2020: the relevant item numbers relating to the search are below, taken from the PRISMA 2020 Checklist:
- Information Sources: "Specify all databases, registers, websites, organisations, reference lists and other sources searched or consulted to identify studies. Specify the date when each source was last searched or consulted." This information is presented in the methods section of the manuscript, and in brief, in the abstract.
- Search Strategy: "Present the full search strategies for all databases, registers and websites, including any filters and limits used." This information is typically presented in an appendix to the manuscript.
What's next after the search?
Once your have run all searches and exporting the search results (typically as an RIS file):
- Import search results into Covidence (or your preferred tool).
- Deduplicate results (in Covidence this happens automatically at the point of import).
- Start screening titles and abstracts (referring to your eligibility criteria, as described in your protocol).