When searching for relevant literature to your research question, you'll need to determine what terms you're using to search and where to search.
One of the most important factors in searching is to document a search. Reporting search strategies is required for systematic review authors.
Documentation is also necessary for refining previous searches. Use a Word document (or similar) to keep track of search terms.
When searching, consider:
Additional tips:
Knowing where to look for studies is key to a successful review. Below is a link to Duquesne's database list. The databases to search in conducting a systematic review rely heavily on the field a research question is based in.
It's important to revise a search strategy and terms for every database used! Keywords and subject headings in one database may not be the same in another. If you have further questions, feel free to meet with a librarian to discuss where to search.
When conducting a literature search, it's important to change search terms based on the classification systems and subject headings within individual databases. For example, CINAHL subject headings may use different terminology when compared to PubMed's MeSH.
Bond University offers Polyglot, a tool for converting search terms from one database into searchable materials for other databases. Part of the University's systematic review accelerator, Polyglot offers search translations for many databases, including CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, APA PsycInfo, Scopus, and more!
Searching for grey (or gray) literature is necessary for preventing selection bias: that is, searching literature that has not been published.
Learn more about what grey literature entails and where to search for it on Gumberg's Grey Literature library guide.
Search National Institute of Health's Clinical Trials registry and York Health Economics Consortium's Finding Clinical Trials.
When relevant studies are found, look at the works cited to find more studies to include in the review. This is called snowballing.
Pace University has a great guide to help with citation searching.
Using a variety of web browsers, search for a topic. This may lead to individuals or organizations who have done studies pertaining to the research question. Contact these people and organizations to see if they have any unpublished studies to include.
