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Effective Literature Searching: Building a Search Strategy

Learn how to perform an effective literature search by translating a research question into a search strategy in a database such as PubMed

Building a Search Strategy

Beginning your Search

After you have defined your question and pulled out the appropriate search terms, you'll need to use them to construct a strategy. This means trying out different terms to see what yields the most relevant results. You may start out your search with broader terms and then drill down to more specific terms. However you decide to search, it's helpful to keep track of your strategies for future use. 

A good search strategy will include:

  • Keyword terms and subject headings
  • Alternative keywords 
  • Linking concepts correctly 
  • Regular evaluation of search results 
  • Ability to save and repeat your search