Search Strategy

Popular health sciences databases use controlled vocabularies to ensure consistency and precisions in search results. For example, PubMed uses Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) while Embase uses Emtree. Using the PICO framework can also help you identify keywords to use in your search. 

Refining Results

• Pairing peer-reviewed research with clinical practice guidelines gives researchers a better understanding of the current state of research available on a topic. 
• The evidence pyramid provides a visual representation of the hierarchy of evidence. The most reliable evidence at the top and the weaker evidence at the bottom. When providing search results be sure to keep the evidence pyramid in mind. 

Evidence Pyramid