Search strategy

Workshops about searching

Our manuals about searching

Read below what you can expect from individual assistance – this way you can make an appointment well-prepared.

You can contact us for:

• Support and advice in developing a systematic search strategy, for example for PubMed
• Tips for translating a search strategy to other databases
• Support and advice on deduplicating results and updating a search strategy
• Support and advice on reporting the methodology
  

What should you do beforehand?

• We expect you to take responsibility for the search strategy yourself
• Consider attending a workshop first. This way, you'll know what to consider when developing a search strategy.
• If you would like to make an appointment, please complete all fields in the online form:
  • the research question (e.g. PICO)
  • PubMed IDs of important articles
  • a (PubMed) search strategy with MeSH and free text

  • indicate what your questions are or what you want to discuss

What can you expect from us?

• We help you by giving feedback on your search strategy and answering your questions
• We also provide suggestions for testing and optimising the search strategy
• We don't validate your search strategy, we merely advise you and brainstorm with you.

Our information specialists specialize in the search methodology of systematic literature reviews. A well-founded search method lays a solid foundation for the rest of your review. Collaborating with an information specialist strengthens the robustness, transparency, and reproducibility of your review.

Want to learn more?

• Read these publications about search quality and the value of information specialists as co-authors.
• View the reviews in which we contributed as co-authors.
  

What do we offer?

We help you carefully design and implement your review's search strategy.
You can count on:

• A robust and well-tested search strategy that aligns with your research question
• A clear methodology in your protocol and manuscript that complies with the (PRISMA) guidelines
  

We are also happy to help you consider:

• The clarity of your research question and selection criteria
• The method for removing duplicates
• The screening workflow, for example, if you want to use ASReview
• Storing search data and publishing open access
  

What can you expect?

Collaboration starts with a good conversation.

• We'll schedule a meeting to discuss the possibilities.
• If we collaborate, we'll create a plan and discuss next steps.
• You'll be actively involved in developing and testing the search strategy. This way, you'll be closely involved with the method and learn a lot about search methodology.
  

What do we expect from you?

We expect you to:

• Contact us early in the project.
• Involve the information specialist in all project communications.
• Contribute to the search strategy, for example, by screening test sets of articles.
• List UMCG as the primary affiliation and the information specialist as a co-author of the publication.

Want to know more or collaborate?

Would you like to involve an information specialist in a project or inquire about the possibilities? Feel free to contact us at literaturesearch umcg.nl.

You can:

• ask a short question via literaturesearch umcg.nl
• attend our workshops
• read our manuals

For further assistance, please contact your teacher or your assignment supervisors.

Workshops about searching

Our manuals about searching