How to read a database search strategy
Author: Pauline Goodlad,
Librarian, John Spalding Library,
Wrexham Maelor Hospital
One of the tips that Librarians often give out is to look at published search strategies for inspiration for developing your own search strategy. It might be that a Librarian has done a search for you and has sent you a copy of their strategy for your information. But do you know what you are looking at? This guide is designed to help you know what to look out for.
Firstly, it is important that the search strategy matches the research/clinical question. The following examples are based on the question “Does listening to music preoperatively reduce anxiety?” (Walker and McNaughton, 2018). This question can be broken down into its PICO elements.
Population = preoperative patient.
Intervention = listening to music.
Comparison = not applicable.
Outcome = reduction in anxiety.
In these strategies, look to see which lines correspond to which part of the question. Have a look to see how they have been combined with Boolean operators. Synonyms and related terms should be combined with OR. Combining concepts together should be done with AND.
Have a look to see whether the search terms are subject headings or keyword (free text) searches. The notation for this can vary across different databases.
Where you see keyword searches, have a look to see whether commands for truncation, wild cards or proximity have been used.
If you would like a refresher on some of these aspects of literature searching, then check out these bite sized videos on Boolean searching, Database searching tips, and Subject Headings.
Remember, if in doubt, get in touch with a Librarian! You can find the details of your local librarian here: https://www.nhswls.org/contactyourlibrary
Reference
Walker, J. C., & McNaughton, A. (2018). Does listening to music preoperatively reduce anxiety? An evidence-based practice process for novice researchers. British journal of nursing, 27(21), 1250-1254.
MEDLINE search strategy example
Ovid MEDLINE(R) ALL <1946 to April 02, 2024>
1 Preoperative Care/ 65585 2 Preoperative Period/ 9445 3 (preoperat* or pre operat* or presurg* or pre surg*).mp. 460301 4 1 or 2 or 3 460301 5 Music Therapy/ or Music/ 20637 6 (music or singing or song* or sound* or tune*).mp. 298519 7 5 or 6 298519 8 exp *Anxiety/ 52716 9 Anxiety Disorders/pc, su [Prevention & Control, Surgery] 577 10 (anxiety or anxious or worry or concern or fear or fearful or stress or nervous).ti,ab,kf. 1916979 11 8 or 9 or 10 1921995 12 4 and 7 and 11 300 13 limit 12 to (english language and yr="2000 -Current") 248 |
Things to note in the MEDLINE search strategy:
CINAHL search strategy example
Interface - EBSCOhost Research Databases Search Screen - Advanced Search Database - CINAHL Plus with Full Text
S1 (MH "Preoperative Period") OR (MH "Preoperative Care") 27,186 S2 TI ( "preoperat*" or "pre operat*" or "presurg*" or "pre surg*" ) OR AB ( "preoperat*" or "pre operat*" or "presurg*" or "pre surg*" ) 86,731 S3 S1 OR S2 98,669 S4 (MH "Music Therapy") OR (MH "Music") OR (MH "Singing") 19,675 S5 TI ( "music" or "singing" or "song*" or "sound*" or "tune*" ) OR AB ( "music" or "singing" or "song*" or "sound*" or "tune*" ) 48,367 S6 S4 OR S5 56,929 S7 (MM "Anxiety+") 29,151 S8 (MH "Anxiety Disorders/PC/SU") 351 S9 TI ( "anxiety" or "anxious" or "worry" or "concern" or "fear" or "fearful" or "stress" or "nervous" ) OR AB ( "anxiety" or "anxious" or "worry" or "concern" or "fear" or "fearful" or "stress" or "nervous" ) 386,968 S10 S7 OR S8 OR S9 390,915 S11 S3 AND S6 AND S10 179 S12 S3 AND S6 AND S10 Limiters - Publication Date: 20000101-20241231 157 Narrow by Language: - english 157 |
Things to note in the CINAHL search strategy:
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