How to Search PubMed More Thoughtfully

Plan a focused search, record your choices and assess relevant papers beyond their titles.

A useful literature search starts before you enter keywords. Decide what question you want to explore and what would count as relevant evidence. Otherwise, it is easy to collect papers sharing a phrase while addressing different problems.

Break the question into concepts

Write two or three central concepts and alternative terms for each. Begin with a manageable query, then inspect the results for terminology researchers use. Keep a record of promising terms instead of repeatedly starting from scratch.

Understand the search tools

PubMed’s help documentation explains query processing, field tags, filters and Advanced Search. Its Search Details guidance helps readers inspect how a query was interpreted. Consult these explanations when results are surprising rather than assuming the database interpreted your words exactly as intended.

Use filters deliberately

Decide why a filter helps answer your question before applying it. Record that choice with your search terms. A convenient result list is not automatically a comprehensive account of the evidence.

Read beyond the title

Compare the questions, methods and publication types of relevant records. Consult the original article when the abstract lacks necessary detail. Keep potentially relevant papers separate from those you have actually assessed.

Make the search repeatable

Record the database, search date, query and filters, along with your selection approach. These notes make it easier to update your reading and explain why a particular paper was included.

Source

National Library of Medicine: PubMed User Guide. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/help/