Search Strategy Development

The skill of identifying and combining the key concepts of an identified problem to retrieve accurate results. Key component: utilizing an organized structure of key terms to search a database.

Insights

Filtering, Limiting, and Sorting: Managing Large Search Results Lists

Learn about how to overcome information overload and manage lengthy search results lists. We look at the nuances among filtering, limiting, and sorting features in databases.

Searching in the AccessMedicine Database

AccessMedicine is a great database with 100s of ebooks, as well as multimedia, self-assessment, case studies, and more.

Knowledge Base Articles

Controlled Vocabulary in Databases

Learn how to find and use controlled vocabulary in select databases.

Developing a Comprehensive Search Query

Five steps for developing and checking the effectiveness of a search strategy when working on a systematic or scoping review.

Explore a Topic of Interest with Controlled Vocabularies

Learn how to use controlled vocabularies and the subject heading record to explore a topic. See examples of MeSH terms, Emtree terms, and CINAHL Subject Headings.

From Idea to Research Question to Search

Clear problem definition leads to focused research questions, efficient searches, and relevant evidence, avoiding misaligned or superficial solutions.

How to Use Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) to Refine and Expand Searches

Learn how to best use Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) depending on the purpose of the literature search.

Identifying Search Terms for Your Literature Review

A practical guide to identifying keywords and subject headings for building effective and reproducible literature search strategies.

Preliminary Topic Investigation Checklist for Systematic and Scoping Reviews

How do you know if you've explored enough literature to ground your research project? This checklist can help guide you through the preliminary topic investigation at the start of a review.

Searching for Alternatives to Animal Research

This article describes national and local requirements, resources, and strategies for locating and describing published evidence on alternatives to animal research.

Selecting Bibliographic Databases to Search Literature for a Systematic Review

Guidance on how to identify and select bibliographic databases to conduct searches and locate relevant reports of published studies for a systematic review.

Translating Searches Between Databases 

Translating searches from one database to another database is required for many research projects. Here are some approaches to consider when working on a translation.

Tutorials

Web of Science Research Assistant

Watch a demo of the Web of Science Research Assistant, an AI-powered tool that helps you explore literature and streamline your research.

Advanced Search Functions in CINAHL

Demo of advanced searching functions and features of CINAHL on EBSCOhost.

Build Better Searches with Web of Science Search Tools

This tutorial explains use of functions and features in WoS to build better searches.

Building a Search in PsycINFO with the APA Thesaurus and Index Terms

You will be able to navigate the APA Thesaurus and apply PsycINFO's controlled vocabulary to your search after viewing this tutorial.

Building a Search Using PICO in Embase

This tutorial explains and demonstrates the PICO feature in Embase.

CINAHL Basics

Demo of the basic searching features and functions of CINAHL on EBSCOhost.

Embase Quick Tours

A collection of short video tutorials introducing users to various functions of Embase.

Exploring MeSH for Expert Searching

An exploration of how Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) are used for indexing MEDLINE records in PubMed. This tutorial is intended for PubMed searchers.

Filter Results Using Refine Function in Web of Science

This tutorial explains how to refine search results by using filters in Filter Panel on the WoS platform.

Getting Started in Embase

Demo of how to search Embase using its various search forms.

How to analyze your search results (video)

Overview of analyzing Scopus search results to identify research trends, leading contributors, funding sources, and geographic patterns.

How to Conduct a Basic Search (Video)

Overview of how to conduct a basic search, apply limiters, combine searches, and access learning resources in Scopus

How to use advanced search (video)

Overview of using Advanced Search to build, refine, and manage complex search strategies.

Managing Search Results in OVID MEDLINE

Demo of options to manage search results in OVID.

Managing Your Search Results in Embase

Demo of how to manage search results in Embase.

Mapping Keywords to MeSH Function in OVID MEDLINE

Demo of the mapping function in OVID MEDLINE.

Proximity Searching in PubMed

A brief tutorial from the National Library of Medicine introducing the proximity search capabilities available in PubMed.

PubMed Quick Tours

A collection of short interactive video tutorials introducing users to various functions of PubMed.

PubMed Subject Search: How it Works

A brief National Library of Medicine tutorial on how PubMed's automatic term mapping and its explosion function could enhance your PubMed search.

PubMed to Embase Translation Tool

Demo of translating your PubMed search to an Embase search.

PubMed: Find Articles by Author

A brief National Library of Medicine tutorial on how to find articles by a known author using PubMed.

PubMed: Find Articles by Journal

A brief National Library of Medicine tutorial on how to find articles from a known journal using PubMed.

PubMed: Find Articles on a Topic

A brief National Library of Medicine tutorial on how to find articles on a topic using PubMed.

PubMed: Find the Latest Treatments for a Disease or Disorder

A brief National Library of Medicine tutorial on how to find the latest treatments for a disease or disorder using PubMed.

PubMed: Using the Advanced Search Builder

A brief tutorial from the National Library of Medicine introducing expert users to PubMed's Advanced Search functions.

Refining Your Search Results in Embase

Demo of options to refine search results in EMBASE.

Searching PsycINFO with the APA Thesaurus and Subjects on EBSCOhost

You will be able to create an effective search in PsycINFO after viewing this tutorial.

Step 1: Building a Search Strategy in Embase

Demo of how to build a comprehensive search strategy in Embase.

Using MeSH and CINAHL Subject Headings in CINAHL

Demo of how to use CINAHL/MeSH functionality in EBSCOhost.

Using PubMed in Evidence-Based Practice

Using PubMed in Evidence-Based Practice was created to help clinicians including nurses and allied health professionals develop a clinical question using the PICO framework and efficiently find relevant biomedical literature using PubMed. The tutorial was designed to be completed in less than 30 minutes.