WHAT IS A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE SEARCH OF MULTIPLE DATABASES

An Academic presentation byDr. Nancy Agens, Head, Technical Operations, Pubrica Group: www.pubrica.comEmail: sales@pubrica.com

In brief

Introduction

Selection of Relevant Databases

Different Types of Database

Selection of Keywords that should be used for the Search

Outline

Today's Discussion

Search of Multiple Databases

Variations in Search Terms

Translation between Databases

Conclusion

Future Scope

Systematic literature search requires to organize and confront the search process in a structured manner. Systematic literature search has a higher chance of avoiding differences and bias in a systematic review. The performed use of multiple databases

for a systematic literature search is the following four databases, which are EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection,

MEDLINE, and Google Scholar.

In Brief

A systematic literature search is a process of searching literature in a structured and pre- planned manner, and it is considered to be a critical component of the review process.

Systematic search studies are aimed at identifying a transparent report of the research, and this process can make the readers know about the review, what was done to determine the report and how the collected evidence supports the systematic review.

The primary advantage of using a systematic literature review has a higher chance of avoiding bias, and as well the process allows in enabling to identify the literature gaps in the primary or existing research.

Thus, through preventing the risk of bias, the search studies become reproducible.

Introduction

Selection of Relevant Databases

After choosing keywords for a systematic search study, now the author has to select the appropriate databases that give relevant research studies to the formulated question.

See Also: What is the formulation of the research question in systematic review?

It is always good to search in multiple databases that can supplement each other.

It is advised to check the data provided by the individual databases, so that the author can be aware of the database has a bias towards geographical literature difference.

Different Types of Database

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATABASES: This database will have everything about a topic, a person, a geographical area, institution, etc.

LIBRARY DATABASES: It reflects what can be physically and electronically found through one or more libraries.

JOURNAL DATABASES: This database is commonly consisting of published journalsfrom a specific supplier.

SPECIALIZED DATABASES: This database will have grey literature, conference papers, compositions, OA repositories, artefacts, etc.

Selection of Keywords that should be used for the Search:

While making the selection of appropriate keywords for search strategy, it is notmandatorily required to use all the words from the formulated research question.

Less essential words from the question can be removed from the search strategy to avoid unnecessary complications.

With the help of Fig. 1 keyword can be ordered by the importance and their specificity on a question to determine the best search strategy.

By using this principle in choosing the keywords, for instance, keywords can be rated between specific and important to general and unimportant.

Contd..

Fig. 1: Schematic Diagram for Determining the Optimal Order of Elements

It is highly recommended to use of multiple databases along with added search strategies to search relevant references for conducting a systematic review.

A systematic literature search should include all the research articles that match the eligible criteria irrespective of the language, sample size and journal influence.

See Also: What is a Systematic Review?

A comprehensive search should consist of multiple databases such as EMBASE, Medline, Ovid, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Google Scholar and Scopus.

Using multiple databases can be time-consuming and vigorous owing to the database- specific search strategies.

Search of Multiple Databases:

During the search process, variations in search terms such as truncation, spelling differences opposites and abbreviations will be very helping in getting all the relevant search results.

For example, truncation allows the researcher to search for words like therap* will thus retrieve therapy, therapeutic, therapies, etc.

Every database contains a reference to published articles using both American and British English spellings, and many interfaces offer a particular word with a character to get related search results.

For example, “paediatric” or “pediatric” can be searched as “p?ediatric.”

Contd..

Variations in Search Terms:

Table1: Field Codes for Biomedical Literature Search in Top used Interfaces (Obtained from https://www.ncbi.nl m.nih.gov/pmc/articl es/PMC6148622/)

Translation between Databases:

Multiple database search had to be done to retrieve as many relevant references as possible and translating complicated and exhausting findings between databases will be time-consuming and burdensome.

To overcome that burden and save time, Erasmus University Medical Centerdeveloped to find and replace method for biomedical and health science questions.

Using the five different macros, a search can be translated relatively quick into eight significant databases, and the dotted lines represent databases that are used in less than 80% of the searches.

Contd..

Fig. 2: Schematic Representation of Translation between Databases (Obtained from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6148622/)

Conclusion

A systematic review uses scientific methods in finding results from multiple primary research studies and a combination of various databases would yield more publication journals than using an individual database, which can help to make accurate decisions.

Few literatures suggest using a combination of databases, depending on the review topic or the area of research and majority of the literature states that searching one database may prove to be insufficient, thus leading to missing references.

Future Scopes

Pubrica provides support in writing a systematic review on biomedical or healthcare areas such as public health interventions, environmental interventions, adverse effects, clinical trials, and social interventions and offers you complete support across a variety of journals, publications, and books.

Our technical expert team provides complete support from translating your concept to incisive report, and we will be with you through the entire publication stages.

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