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Recording Search Strategies

Recording Search Strategies. Modified with permission from presentation by Steven Duffy Centre for Reviews & Dissemination, University of York December 2011. Documenting the search. All details of the search should be documented so that: It is transparent and reproducible

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Recording Search Strategies

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  1. Recording Search Strategies Modified with permission from presentation by Steven Duffy Centre for Reviews & Dissemination, University of York December 2011

  2. Documenting the search • All details of the search should be documented so that: • It is transparent and reproducible • It can be evaluated

  3. Documenting the search • Describe in detail all searches, including: • Bibliographic databases • Internet/grey literature • Hand-searching • Contact with experts Good practice to document the search whilst doing it rather than retrospectively!

  4. What to record • Database or resource searched • Database service provider or URL • Date of search • Date span of search • The search strategy itself, in full • Number of records identified

  5. Database or resource searched • Database or resource e.g. Medline, PubMed, CEA Registry etc • The database service provider e.g. Ovid, EBSCO, ISI Web of knowledge etc • The website/organisation providing the resource e.g. www.cearegistry.org

  6. Dates • Date of the search • Date of the database or resource (inception to latest update) • Not always easy to find the latest update date – might have to do a bit further investigation

  7. The search strategy • Ideally, reproduce the search strategy directly from the search interface (If using PubMed each search listed in Advanced area as you search, copy & paste! ) • May prefer to edit strategies for consistency and/or readability • May want to annotate and provide key to symbols/commands used

  8. Number of records identified • Flow charts e.g. PRISMA flow diagram, template at: http://www.prisma-statement.org/statement.htm • Tables • Or simply in the search strategy itself (As you search in PubMed number of ‘Items found’ are listed in Advanced area)

  9. Describe search • Should not simply be a technical exercise – it is an opportunity to justify decisions made when developing the search strategy • Why certain limits were introduced • Why methodological filters were not used • Why particular databases were not searched • How search terms were derived • Describe the conceptual breakdown of the search

  10. Remember... • Always write up in full (record absolutely everything) while undertaking the searches • It is often not possible to include everything in the main body of the final report, and certainly not in a journal article • But should be able to include details in appendices or at least be able to refer reader to the full search strategies

  11. Guidance • See HTA reports, Cochrane reviews and NICE guidance evidence reports • CRD guidance http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/index_guidance.htm • Cochrane Handbook http://handbook.cochrane.org/

  12. Questions? • Email: medlib@swansea.ac.uk • See Library Support Module for CoM in Blackboard

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