Q. Where do I search for articles and how do I retrieve them during a systematic review? How do I find good search terms/optimize my search? What databases should I search?
Answer
Your research focus will drive the resources used for article retrieval. Databases and grey literature are typical starting points. Some databases used in past systematic reviews at Holman Biotech Commons include PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science.
Terms or phrases can be identified from a controlled vocabulary system within a particular database (e.g., MeSH, Emtree, other thesaurus), from preliminary search results in a relevant database, and from the search strategies of other systematic reviews on the topic.