STEP 1: Think About the Best Way to Search
A. What is your topic or PICOT question? _______________________________________________
B. Begin by listing keywords or phrases in the first column. Use words that describe the
population, intervention, and outcome. Use words that you think will assist you in finding
“the best” evidence on your topic. After you have listed your keywords, use the blanks to the
right of your key words to list synonyms (other words) that can be used to say the same thing
as the keywords/phrases.
Keywords Synonyms
P: ________________________: ____________________ OR __________________ OR ______________________
I: ________________________: ____________________ OR __________________ OR ______________________
O: ________________________: ____________________ OR __________________ OR______________________C. What are the best information resources/databases/websites for your research?__________________________ , __________________________ , ______________________
STEP 2: Plan Your First Search
A. List your keywords and synonyms being sure to use symbols (* and “quote marks for more than
1 word”) and Boolean operators (OR/AND) to aid your search.
_______________________ OR ____________________ OR __________________ OR ______________________
AND ___________________ OR ____________________ OR __________________ OR _____________________
AND____________________ OR____________________ OR __________________ OR ______________________
B. What limiters should you use in the search? (Date range, language, or any other limiting criteria)
___________________________ , ____________________________ , ________________________
STEP 3: Begin Your Search
After you’ve thought about your topic and planned your search, log in and begin your search.
Use the keywords and limiters you identified in Step 2. Be sure to avoid typos, as that can ruin
your search.
A. What database/resource did you use? ___________________________________________________
B. How many results did you get? ________________ Too few results? Too many results?
C. Look at the article citations and identify subject headings (MeSH Terms/CINAHL Headings) that
are common across the relevant abstracts/article citations. These should be listed within the
citations/records after the Subjects: heading. What is the most common MeSH Term/CINAHL
Heading you see? ______________________________EXHIBIT 4-1 Literature Systematic Search Worksheet
120 CHAPTER 4 Finding Sources of Evidence