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Beyond MEDLINE for Literature Searches
Author(s) -
Conn Vicki S.,
Isaramalai Sangarun,
Rath Sabyasachi,
Jantarakupt Peeranuch,
Wadhawan Rohini,
Dash Yashodhara
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of nursing scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1547-5069
pISSN - 1527-6546
DOI - 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2003.00177.x
Subject(s) - medline , recall , information retrieval , computer science , online search , data science , medicine , psychology , cognitive psychology , biology , biochemistry
Purpose: To describe strategies for a comprehensive literature search. Organizing Construct: MEDLINE searches result in limited numbers of studies that are often biased toward statistically significant findings. Diversified search strategies are needed. Methods: Empirical evidence about the recall and precision of diverse search strategies is presented. Challenges and strengths of each search strategy are identified. Findings: Search strategies vary in recall and precision. Often sensitivity and specificity are inversely related. Valuable search strategies include examination of multiple diverse computerized databases, ancestry searches, citation index searches, examination of research registries, journal hand searching, contact with the “invisible college,” examination of abstracts, Internet searches, and contact with sources of synthesized information. Conclusions: Extending searches beyond MEDLINE enables researchers to conduct more systematic comprehensive searches.