What is a systematic literature search of multiple databases? – Pubrica

1. WHAT IS A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE SEARCHOF MULTIPLEDATABASES An Academic presentationby Dr. Nancy Agens, Head, Technical Operations, Pubrica Group: www.pubrica.com Email:sales@pubrica.com

2. Today'sDiscussion Outline Inbrief Introduction Selection of Relevant Databases Different Types of Database Selection of Keywords that should be used for theSearch Search of MultipleDatabases Variations in Search Terms Translation between Databases Conclusion FutureScope

3. InBrief 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 ina 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 GoogleScholar.

4. Introduction A systematic literature searchis a process of searching literature in a structured and pre- planned manner, and it is considered to be a critical component of the reviewprocess. 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 systematicreview. 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 existingresearch. Thus, through preventing the risk of bias, the search studies becomereproducible.

5. Selection of RelevantDatabases After choosing keywords for a systematic search study, now the author has to select the appropriate databases that give relevant research studies to the formulatedquestion. See Also: What is the formulation of the researchquestion in systematic review? It is always good to search in multiple databases that can supplement eachother. 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 literaturedifference.

6. Different Types ofDatabase 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 morelibraries. JOURNAL DATABASES: This database is commonly consisting of publishedjournals from a specificsupplier. SPECIALIZED DATABASES: This database will have grey literature, conference papers, compositions, OA repositories, artefacts,etc.

7. Selection of Keywords that should be used for theSearch: While making the selection of appropriate keywords for search strategy, it isnot mandatorily required to use all the words from the formulated researchquestion. Less essential words from the question can be removed from the search strategy to avoid unnecessarycomplications. With the help of Fig. 1 keyword can be ordered by the importance and their specificity on a question to determine the best searchstrategy. By using this principle in choosing the keywords, for instance, keywords can be rated between specific and important to general andunimportant. Contd..

8. Fig. 1: Schematic Diagram for Determining the Optimal Orderof Elements

9. Search of MultipleDatabases: It is highly recommended to use of multiple databases along with added search strategies to search relevant references for conducting a systematicreview. A systematic literature searchshould include all the research articles that match the eligible criteria irrespective of the language, sample size and journalinfluence. See Also: What is a SystematicReview? A comprehensive search should consist of multiple databases such as EMBASE, Medline, Ovid, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Google ScholarandScopus. Using multiple databases can be time-consuming and vigorous owing to the database- specific searchstrategies.

10. Variations in SearchTerms: 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 searchresults. 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 searchresults. For example, “paediatric” or “pediatric” can be searched as“p?ediatric.” Contd..

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

12. Translation betweenDatabases: 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 andburdensome. To overcome that burden and save time, Erasmus University MedicalCenter developed to find and replace method for biomedical and health sciencequestions. 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 thesearches. Contd..

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

14. Conclusion A systematic reviewuses 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 accuratedecisions. Few literatures suggest using a combination of databases, depending on the review topic or the area of researchand majority of the literature states that searching one database may prove to be insufficient, thus leading to missingreferences.

15. FutureScopes Pubricaprovides 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 publicationstages.

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