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ACAP Library Pathfinder: Systematic Searching for a Review

This guide provides a methodology for planning and creating a multi-database search strategy for students who are writing a review.

Translating Searches

The databases you use in your research will all have slightly different syntaxes for refinement tools and search fields. They will also use their own set of controlled vocabulary or subject headings.  For this reason, you cannot always simply copy and paste search strings from one database to another. 

You may want to use the advanced search tools in each database and adjust the search as described in the Simple to Complex section of this guide. 

You can also look at the help files in each database to take a look at the syntax used to refine and limit searches. 

Another option is to use tools like Polyglot or 2dSearch (see below). 

2dSearch

2dSearch can be used to help you translate a search you've created in PubMed into the syntax for a number of other databases. Take a look at their useful instructional video below or contact a librarian for assistance.