Dear all,
I am looking for materials about SR search strategy on scientific databanks.
In particular I would like to know if there is material stating what is right or wrong in terms of how many keywords and synonyms that have to be included.
As far as I read, there is not a guideline about what to do exactly.
What is your experience?
Sometimes I find that using synonyms and many keywords my search is too wide.
Sometimes using only a few words is restrictive.
What do you think?
Thank you
All best
GP
Hi Giulia,
The number of synonyms used would perhaps depend on the specific word in question and the extent to which use is influenced by locality. For instance, American and British contexts may use different words for the same concept.
For fairly standard words, I would not see any need for a synonym. However, for words whose use differ with locality, I would probably be plausible to have at most three synonyms, if necessary.
Regards,
Guilia - you are correct in that there is no specific guideline. Too few, however, will have readers question the validity of the overall captured corpus of literature. Too many will have the reader question your search process.
I agree with Godfrey. Keywords usually suffice. It depends on a number of other factors as to how effective your keywords are and, therefore, how to limit them as much as possible. For instance, and especially for clinical searches, the use of the PICO/T format can identify the main keywords. Then the effective use of truncation and wildcards will reduce the need for synonyms. Again, if it's a clinical search - then the use of MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), such as in PubMed, will guide the most appropriate alternatives for keywords.
The attached chapter, through its generic search principles, may assist.
Hi Guilia,
There is no right and wrong number of keywords to conduct systematic review. However, using medical subject headings (or subject keywords) for major databases can help to use all the underlying keywords at at time. Also, using multiple keyword increases the scope (therefore, the sensitivity) of your search. Lastly, try to see what keywords did the other researchers use in systematic reviews conducted in same/similar reviews. That helps to refine your search strategy.
All the best for your research!
Dear Guilia, You should keep as much as possible keywords, however, it will be based on your research question (PI of PICO - participants and intervention or exposure), extensive literature review (especially systematic reviews), and should be finalized in consultation of experts. Restricting the keywords will reduce the sensitivity and ultimately validity of the searches. These keywords should be used with appropriate use of Boolean operators. It is highly recommended to have a training of conducting literature and developing search strategy.
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