3. Search for literature
Reviews are interactive in nature. Once you’ve developed your question using the framework, it’s time to begin searching the literature.
Database selection
Select 2-3 databases appropriate for your review question (such as Business Source Complete and Scopus). For other appropriate Business options explore your relevant Resource Guides.
Your Scholarly Services Librarian can also help you identify suitable databases to use.
Develop your searches
Develop individual advanced searches for each database. Databases have different subject headings, algorithms and filters that impact how your search is run.
Tip
A good place to start is finding key papers in your research area. Look at the language in the title, abstract, search strategies and the database record. This will help you determine search terms, develop a search and find other papers similar to your key papers.
Controlled vocabulary search
Include terms from the database-controlled vocabulary when developing a comprehensive search. Controlled vocabularies are also known as index terms, subject headings or thesaurus.
The controlled vocabulary is a consistent list of database specific subject headings used to label records and these subject headings are used in combination with keywords in a comprehensive search. Searching with a controlled vocabulary is more powerful because you are using the database's indexing. This can give your search a greater balance of breadth and precision.
Caution
The way database subject headings describe a concept can vary. Not all databases have subject headings.
Test your searches
Reviewing and refining your search to improve the search results is an important part of developing the best search possible.
Test your searches by checking to see if key known articles in your research area are returned in your search results.
Part of testing your search also includes checking for errors such as inappropriate limiters, wrong syntax etc. For a guided approach, download the Press evidence-based checklist (2015) below.
Document your searches
Systematic-like review searches need to be reproduceable as they are an important part of your research method. Documenting your searches in detail enables appropriate reporting of the search methodology for publication, and verification.
We recommend following the checklist below when documenting your searches:
Tip
Save your database searches (where possible) to refer back to later. Database platforms such as EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science and PROQUEST provide this feature.