Systematic Searching for SLRs and Meta-Analyses

Introduction to Database Searching for Systematic Literature Reviews (SLR) and Meta-Analyses

In this video, the process of systematically searching databases and sources for literature to include in a systematic literature review or meta-analysis is explored. The methodical approach involves four key steps: identifying relevant databases, constructing a boolean search string, searching databases, and employing supplementary search strategies.

Step 1: Identifying Relevant Databases

For a systematic search, it is essential to use databases rather than general search engines like Google or Google Scholar. This is due to the replicability needed for systematic reviews; databases provide a consistent search experience, meaning that others can replicate the searches and obtain the same results. Various academic databases cater specifically to academic materials like journal articles, dissertations, and conference proceedings. For those conducting research in psychology, significant databases include PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PubMed, Medline, and Scopus. It is common practice to search multiple databases to ensure comprehensive coverage of the literature.

Step 2: Constructing a Boolean Search String

Searching databases requires a structured approach through a boolean search string rather than open-ended searches. Boolean search strings are composed of key terms related to your research question and combine these terms using Boolean operators. The core of constructing your search starts with your research question. For instance, from the question focusing on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and comparing treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), the key concepts that need to be identified are GAD, CBT, and ACT.

Once key concepts are established, it's crucial to generate various search terms for each key term to account for potential variations in study nomenclature. For example, GAD might appear as GAD, generalized anxiety disorder (with both 'S' and 'Z' spellings), or simply 'anxiety.' Similarly, different forms for CBT and ACT must be prepared, considering variations in spelling and abbreviation usage. The boolean operators 'AND' and 'OR' help to specify the relationships between these terms—using 'OR' within a concept to include synonyms and 'AND' across concepts to ensure all related topics are included in the findings. The resulting search string effectively narrows the literature to articles that encompass all areas of interest.

Step 3: Conducting the Search in Databases

When executing a search in a database like PsycINFO, users should paste their complete boolean search string directly into the search field, focusing the search on titles and abstracts. This approach significantly increases the relevance of articles retrieved, as these sections typically encompass the core message of the research. However, initial searches can yield thousands of results. Therefore, search limiters can refine the results, such as restricting results to peer-reviewed publications or specific age demographics (e.g., adults).

Step 4: Supplementary Search Strategies

In addition to using databases, supplementary search strategies can enhance the systematic search. A noteworthy method is snowball searching, which includes forward and backward searching to explore references in previously identified studies. Forward searching looks for studies that cite your selected papers, while backward searching examines the references within those papers, allowing researchers to identify additional relevant studies missed during the primary database search.

Practical Application

In an actual usage scenario, researchers accessing PsycINFO via the Federation University Library interface will utilize the search functionalities specifically tailored for their research topics. After compiling their search terms and finalizing their boolean string, they will input this into the database, applying any necessary filters to hone in on the most applicable literature. This systematic methodological approach ensures that researchers not only find a breadth of relevant literature but that they can navigate the results efficiently, focusing on high-quality studies pertinent to their specific research questions.