UWM Libraries Research and Course Guides: Evidence Synthesis Reviews: Search Strategies

What is a Systematic Search?

A systematic search is used in Systematic, Rapid, Umbrella, or Scoping Review.

The aim of a systematic search is to

locate every record of evidence on a given topic
Recall a high number of relevant records while maintaining focus on topic
use multiple databases, registers, and websites to locate the evidence
locate evidence using a variety of techniques (extended boolean searching, index terms, hand searching, cited reference searching)

Work with a Librarian!

It is highly recommended to work with a librarian when identifying information sources and developing a search strategy. Librarians may help with evidence synthesis reviews by:

Advising on registration protocols
Identifying information sources including databases, repositories, and grey literature and specific collections that will need to be documented in the protocol and reported in the final paper
Developing a search strategy for the main database to be searched and/or advise on translating the search strategy for different database platforms
Citation management, de-duplication, and full-text retrieval
Serving as a co-author, writing up search strategy in the methodology section of the paper

Information Sources

Work with a librarian to identify the most appropriate databases to answer your research question.

Considerations for choosing information resources:

Indexing
Subject specificity
Interdisciplinary research
Hand-searching
Grey literature searching

Search Syntax for Multiple Databases
Syntax for Cochrane Library, CSA, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, LILACS, Ovid, POPLINE, ProQuest, and WHOLIS
Search Translation Guide
Guide for translating syntax and search strategies across databases

Planning and Tracking Search Queries: Research log
Plan your research strategies, using this worksheet to develop your concepts and decide on appropriate commands to combine them. The next pages have a research log to track your search results. Successful searching often involves searching multiple databases, and it helps to keep track as you refine your search.

PRISMA Search
The PRISMA extension for searching was published in 2021. The checklist includes 16 reporting items, each of which is detailed with exemplar reporting and rationale.

Retrieving Full-Text Articles

InterLibrary Loan
Request articles, books, book chapters that aren't currently available in the UW System. Log into your InterLibrary Loan (ILL) account using your ePanther ID and password.

Grey Literature

Grey Literature are information sources that have not been published through traditional publishing. These information sources include:

Conference Proceedings
Theses and Dissertations
Preprints
Reports (i.e. created by government, non-profit, or professional organizations)
Government Documents
Working papers
Patents
Technical reports
Discipline specific resources

There is no one place to search for all grey literature, so it's best to consult with a subject expert on where to search.

Registry of Research Data Repositories
Re3data is a global registry of research data repositories that covers research data repositories from different academic disciplines. It includes repositories that enable permanent storage of and access to data sets to researchers, funding bodies, publishers, and scholarly institutions. re3data promotes a culture of sharing, increased access and better visibility of research data.
Directory of Open Access Repositories
OpenDOAR is the quality-assured, global Directory of Open Access Repositories. You can search and browse through thousands of registered repositories based on a range of features, such as location, software or type of material held.
Preprint repository search syntax table
Table of search syntax for select preprint repositories and aggregators