Systematic Searching Support at Hardin Library
Planning the Search
Consider which concepts are necessary for the search. A comprehensive search usually has 2-3 concepts combined with AND. Consult with a librarian and your team to determine which concepts to include.
Example PICO: In adult ICU settings, do noise reduction strategies improve the patient experience?
ICU | Noise reduction |
Patient experience |
Subject and Keyword Searching
There are two methods of searching. For reviews that demand a comprehensive approach, both methods should be used.
SUBJECT HEADINGS
An assigned term that represents a concept; also known as "controlled vocabulary." For example, any study about pressure sores found in PubMed will be assigned a Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) term pressure ulcers. A search for pressure ulcers will capture results about this concept regardless of which exact word/phrase is used. Most databases have a list of vocabulary but they are different from one another. This means that your search strategies will be different for the subject heading component for each database searched.
KEYWORDS/PHRASES
Terms used in everyday language. Sometimes there is not a subject heading that represents a concept, the article is not categorized yet (indexed), or the article is not categorized correctly. This is when keywords/phrases can capture results that a subject heading search may miss.
Generating Search Terms
This is usually a team process and may take a few days to months, depending on how exhaustive the search needs to be. Some tips follow:
- start with a list of relevant records and review the subject terms assigned
- read relevant articles and list professional terminology found in titles and abstracts that capture the concepts
- review reviews on similar topics and read the search strategies
- obtain feedback from your team, your librarian, and consult other subject experts
- Use an online word processing program for keeping track of search terms
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Example Search Term List Concept 1: ICU Concept 2: Noise reduction Concept 3: Patient experience MeSH terms
- intensive care units
- critical illness
- critical care
MeSH terms
- Noise
- Ear protective devices
MeSH terms
- patient satisfaction
- pain
- sleep
Keywords/phrases
- ICU
- intensive care unit(s)
Keywords/phrases
- quiet time
- earplugs
- noise reduction
- quiet interventions
Keywords/phrases
- patient report
- patient experience
- patient complaint(s)
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- Last Updated: Jun 13, 2025 10:11 AM
- URL: https://guides.lib.uiowa.edu/reviewshealthsciences
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