Conducting an effective literature search involves several steps:
Define the Research Question: Clearly define the research question or hypothesis. Use the PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) to structure the query. Select Databases: Choose appropriate databases and search engines based on the topic and type of information needed. Use Keywords and Boolean Operators: Develop a list of keywords and use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine the search. Screen Results: Review the search results to identify relevant studies. Use inclusion and exclusion criteria to filter out irrelevant studies. Extract and Analyze Data: Extract relevant data from the selected studies and perform a systematic analysis. Document the Process: Keep a detailed record of the search strategy, databases used, and criteria applied to ensure reproducibility.
