Module Components

• Learning Activities

Topics

• Steps in the Development of a Search Strategy
• Types of Evidence in theLliterature
• Summarizing Your Search
• Commonly Used Reviews
• Search Strategies
• Resources for EBP
• Additional Training Available at Health Sciences & Human Services Library
• Module 7 Self-Review

NRSG 790 - Methods for Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Module 7: Searching for and Retrieving Evidence

SEARCH STRATEGIES

Successful searches for relevant evidence are as important as well built PICO(T) questions. Determining the appropriate database or using the correct database vocabulary and specific criteria to navigate databases is critical if one is to find the best evidence.

• Keywords are words used to search relevant databases and a description of which keywords were used and which ones worked well should be included in a description of a reproducible search strategy. Some databases use Medical Subject Headings (MeSH terms) or controlled vocabulary headings to index and organize the literature that they contain, and so it may be helpful to use such terms as keywords.
• A description of search strategy should also include specification of inclusion and exclusion criteria; what types of studies were included and what types of studies were excluded, and why?
• Database searches can be expanded, using the explode option, or focused with available tools to minimize the number of titles and abstracts to be reviewed.
• Searches of different keywords can also be combined.
• The final group of studies to be reviewed should be limited using limits appropriate for the question (i.e., years of recent literature reviewed, population, type of study).
• For the purposes of this class, an ideal number of articles to include in a review is 5 to 10 appropriate studies. If there are not at least 5 appropriate studies of the intervention of interest, on the outcome of interest, in the population of interest, then either the search needs to be expanded and redone or the PICO(T) question needs to be modified. If there are more than 10 recent appropriate studies, then the PICO(T) question should be more narrowly focused.