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Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Developing a Search Strategy


A search strategy has four basic components:

  • Where to search
  • What search terms to use
  • How to connect search terms together
  • Which filters to apply to the search results

Where to Search

Picking a database or other resource to search in depends on the type of question you are asking and how the answer will be applied.

Select a database (or a few databases) to search based on the field, topic, or type of literature you need to appropriately answer your question.

Use the All Databases and Online Resources A-Z list to locate and access the best resources to answer your question.

 

What Search Terms to Use

Search terms should represent the primary concepts of your question. You should create a list of search terms to include in your search.

Keywords to include are:

  • synonyms
  • alternate spellings (e.g. British versus American English)
  • punctuation (hyphen or no hyphen)
  • acronyms and spelled out acronyms
  • narrower & broader terms
  • plural and singular

You should make sure that you are only using subject matter words.

Do Not Use:

  • comparative words (effect, impact, reaction, cause,
  • prepositions (during, due to, within, without)
  • interrogative words (e.g. how, when, why, what)

 

How to Connect Those Search Terms Together

Most databases use Boolean Operators to connect different search terms together. You can use these to connect your search terms to both narrow and expand your search results.

The Boolean Operators are:

AND OR NOT
Make search narrower Make search broader Make search narrower
Connect together two different concepts Connect alternate terms for the same concept

Remove search terms

 

Which Filters to Apply to the Search Results

Filters (also called "Limits") help narrow your search. They apply a preset search limit that the database has developed for your use.

Some of the most popular filters are:

  • date
  • language
  • peer reviewed / scholarly
  • full-text

Evidence-Based Practice Search Engines


If you're short on time, consult these resources first to get an answer to your clinical question.