Table 4.
Decisions or processes related to “Searching the literature electronically”
| 3: Searching the literature electronically | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.1: Obtaining a development article set | 3.2: Conceptualizing the search string | 3.3: Selecting search words and terms |
| 3.1.1: Obtaining a development set from systematic reviews | 3.2.1: Selecting search concepts | 3.3.1: Selecting index terms |
| 3.1.2: Obtaining a development set from experts | 3.2.2: Selecting concepts from the systematic reviews patient, intervention, comparison, outcome (PICO) | 3.3.2: Searcher selecting search words |
| 3.1.3: Obtaining a development set from a scoping search | 3.2.3: Selecting concepts using a structured format | 3.3.3: Selecting search words from a development set |
| 3.1.4: Obtaining a development set from a citation analysis | 3.2.4: Using broad or focused concepts | 3.3.4: Selecting search words from word frequency analysis |
| 3.2.5: Importance of recall | 3.3.5: Obtaining search words from experts | |
| 3.2.6: Importance of precision | 3.3.6: Selecting search words from similar articles | |
| 3.2.7: Searching the full text | 3.3.7: Using synonyms | |
| 3.2.8: Selecting a user interface | 3.3.8: Using alternate spellings | |
| 3.2.9: Database used for designing primary search string | 3.3.9: Using words in other languages | |
| 3.2.10: Searching for older studies | ||
| 3.2.11: Ordering of search words | ||
| 3.2.12: Using “AND” or “OR” | ||
| 3.2.13: Using “Adjacency” | ||
| 3.2.14: Using “NOT” | ||
| 3.2.15: Using validated search filters | ||
| 3.2.16: Using non-validated search strings | ||
| 3.4: Using database search commands | 3.5: Refining a search string | 3.6: Running a search string |
| 3.4.1: Exploding index terms | 3.5.1: Refining to improve recall | 3.6.1: Single line searching |
| 3.4.2: Focusing index terms | 3.5.2: Refining to improving precision | 3.6.2: Line-by-line searching |
| 3.4.3: Using search words and index terms | 3.5.3: Using validation articles | 3.6.3: Block searching |
| 3.4.4: Using search words alone | 3.5.4: Updating search words and index terms | 3.6.4: Modifying for other databases |
| 3.4.5: Using index terms alone | 3.5.5: Using words in other languages | 3.6.5: Modifying for nonbibliographic databases |
| 3.4.6: Using subheadings | 3.5.6: Discussing the search string with experts | |
| 3.4.7: Using predefined limits | 3.5.7: Peer reviewing the search string | |
| 3.4.8: Using wildcards and truncation | 3.5.8: Using spell checking on the search string | |
| 3.4.9: Using phrase searching | 3.5.9: Finalizing the search string | |
| 3.4.10: Searching fields | ||
| 3.4.11: Using term mapping | ||
| 3.4.12: Using word frequency | ||