Where to search
Where should you search?
Watch the video below to learn about why and where you should search for published (black) literature.
Video Length: 3:56
- The search strategy for a scoping review should aim to be comprehensive in order to identify published and unpublished resources.
- The JBI recommends starting with an initial search of at least 2 databases relevant to the review topic, followed by an analysis of both the text words contained in the title and abstract and the subject headings used in retrieved papers.
- Using all identified keywords and subject headings, a comprehensive search can then be developed.
- You’ll need to search a range of databases. The databases you choose to search will depend on your review questions.
- Primary databases are comprehensive indices of research literature and contain references to a wide range of original research.
- As a general rule, you should at least search MEDLINE and Embase for your scoping review.
- If your question relates to allied health or nursing, you should also search Emcare.
- It is also recommended to search multidisciplinary databases such as Web of Science or Scopus, as these cover a broad range of subject areas.
- Secondary databases contain articles such as systematic reviews or meta-analyses, where authors have appraised research studies using set criteria.
- As a general rule, you should also search secondary databases such as the Cochrane Library and the Joanna Briggs Institute.
- Only ever search one database at a time. This is important because you will need to report how many resources you found in each database.
- You may also choose to contact authors of primary studies for further information or additional publications. This should be stated in your protocol.
Databases
Primary databases are indexes of research literature that contain records for a wide range of original research. There are key databases that are regarded as having relatively comprehensive coverage in specific disciplinary areas.
For Cochrane Reviews, the Cochrane Handbook mandates search of the Cochrane Review Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE, and Embase (where available).
- APA PsycInfo (via Ovid)The most comprehensive database for coverage of international literature on psychology and psychological aspects of related disciplines. Produced by the American Psychological Association (APA). Search across records describing articles from thousands of journals (99% peer reviewed) published from the 1800s to today. Records include subject headings from the APA Thesaurus. Filters available include research methodology, age group and more.
- Business Source Ultimate (via EBSCOhost)Key database for business, covering thousands of peer reviewed and professional journals (some back to the 1800s). Also includes reports, company profiles, conference proceeedings and a range of other material. Records are indexed with Business thesaurus terms. Example subject coverage: marketing, management, organisational psychology, finance
- CINAHL Complete (via EBSCOhost)With records from 1937, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature is a key database for these areas. Covers several thousand journals and includes CINAHL subject headings based on MeSH
- Embase (via Ovid)A large biomedical database with especially good coverage of pharmacology literature and European sources. Journals covered from 1947 and conference abstracts from 2009. Indexed with Emtree thesaurus terms. If searching MEDLINE for a systematic review, it is recommended to also search Embase. From Dec. 2021 includes preprints added to MedRXiv and BioRXiv (not retrospective).
- Emcare (via Ovid)Key database for nursing and allied health, covering thousands of scholarly and peer reviewed journals from 1995 to the present. Publications are primarily European and North American. Records are indexed with Emtree thesaurus terms (same as Embase). Example subject coverage: nursing, critical and intensive care, nutrition, physiotherapy, public and occupational health, geriatrics and palliative care.
- ERIC (via ProQuest)The most comprehensive database for education-related literature, the Educational Resources Information Center database includes material from 1966-current. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, coverage is dominated by North America but also has strong international representation. Covers a range of material (journals, conferences, theses, reports and more). Indexed with terms from the ERIC Thesaurus.
- Health Collection (via Informit)Covers health-related material from and about Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and South East Asia. Focuses on nursing and allied health, with key subjects including public health, patient care, aged care, Aboriginal Australians, child welfare and family violence.
- MEDLINE (via Ovid)A large biomedical database produced by the US National Library of Medicine, MEDLINE is key for health-related topics. Indexed with the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and with records from 1946 to current, primarily for scholarly journal articles. MEDLINE via Ovid is recommended for systematic searches rather than via the free PubMed.
- SportDiscus (via EBSCOhost)Provided by the Sport Information Resource Centre, SPORTDiscus offers comprehensive, bibliographic coverage of sport, fitness and related disciplines.
- UniSA Library databases listSearch or browse to locate the most appropriate databases for your research
Some databases and organisations focus on higher level evidence such as clinical trials and systematic reviews. These collections are smaller in size than the primary databases and many are available freely on the internet.
For Cochrane Reviews it is required to search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL).
- Campbell Collaboration Library of Systematic ReviewsThe Campbell Collaboration is an international research network producing systematic reviews of the effects of social interventions in Crime & Justice, Education, International Development, and Social Welfare.
- Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)Source of evidence focused on the 'optimal use of health technologies' such as drugs, diagnostic tests, devices and procedures. Access reports including rapid reviews and more
- The Cochrane LibraryThe Cochrane Library is a collection of databases that contain different types of high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making.
- COSMIN database of systematic reviews of outcome measurement instrumentsCollated annually from PubMed and Embase searches by the international research group COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (VU University Amsterdam and others)
- EpistemonikosEpistemonikos is a large, continuously updated collection of systematic reviews that facilitates rapid exploration of existing health literature. It may assist in identifying literature gaps to guide future reviews, and as a useful source for discovering primary studies.
- JBI EBP databaseThe Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) is the international not-for-profit, research and development Centre within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Adelaide, South Australia. It brings together a range of practice-oriented research activities to improve the effectiveness of nursing practice and health care outcomes.
- NICE – National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceProvides independent, authoritative and evidence-based guidance on the most effective ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease and ill health, reducing inequalities and variation (UK)
- OTseekerOTseeker is a database that contains abstracts of systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials and other resources relevant to occupational therapy interventions.
- PEDro – Physiotherapy Evidence DatabaseDeveloped to support evidence-based practice in physiotherapy, PEDro can be used to find trials, reviews and guidelines evaluating physiotherapy interventions. Trials are assessed for quality using the PEDro scale. Aimed at a global audience and produced in Australia by the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health.
- Social Care Online (UK)Includes systematic reviews.
- TRIPSubject areas covered include cancer, cardiovascular, child health, endocrinology, gastrointestinal, HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, mental health, musculoskeletal, neurology, pregnancy and childbirth, respiratory care and women's health.
Multidisciplinary databases can also be useful to search, as these typically index material from diverse subject areas. Searching one or more of these is typically done to increase the sensitivity of the search.
- ScopusOne of the largest multidisciplinary bibliographic databases, Scopus covers peer reviewed journals, trade journals, books and book chapters, conference papers and patents. Material chosen for inclusion meets strict selection criteria such as type of peer review and significance to the field. Also provides backward and forward citation searching, publication metrics and analytical features
- Web of ScienceBibliographic database that covers the sciences, social sciences and arts & humanities
- ProQuest Dissertations & Theses GlobalA major source of theses, primarily from the United States but also including outputs from a range of other countries
How many databases need to be searched?
The short answer is: it depends!
Some of the factors to consider include:
- the type of review you are undertaking (systematic, scoping, rapid, umbrella, etc.)
- expectations – your disciplinary area, where you plan to publish, your review team, manuals/guidelines you're following
- whether your topic is multidisciplinary or focused on a single discipline area
- how many are reasonable to search and at what point is it likely to be a case of diminishing returns?
- are you planning to include Grey Literature & Other Sources, e.g. theses and conference proceedings?
No one database can cover all the literature for your research question. While databases may claim to comprehensively cover the literature in a specific area, e.g. nursing, pharmacy, or education, there are many different databases out there which may contain unique records.
The Where to search page can help you decide where to search - or you are welcome to consult a librarian.
Conform with the health sciences standard
The Cochrane Handbook mandates that the following databases are searched:
- MEDLINE
- Embase
- The Cochrane Library
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Cochrane Handbook, part 2, chapter 4, section 4.3: sources to searchThis chapter outlines the gold standard guidelines for systematic review searching and contains a section recommending sources to search.
Grey literature
You should also consider searching the Grey literature.
Quick guides
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How to plan your search (PDF)A short guide on steps you need to plan your search, including how to combine your search terms using OR, AND, NOT.
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How to save time searching databases (PDF)Use this guide to learn how to use truncation and wildcard symbols to get the best results when searching
Comparing PubMed and MEDLINE via Ovid
MEDLINE (Ovid) ALL accessed via UniSA Library includes all content in PubMed and is updated daily. For more detailed comparison of Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed see:
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Ovid's Medline compared to PubMed2021 article produced by Wolters Kluwer (Ovid)
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How to compare Ovid MEDLINE & PubMed2019 PowerPoint presentation produced by Wolters Kluwer (Ovid)
Sensitivity warning
Database records and thesauri of subject headings contain terms that reflect language and attitudes of the authors and period in which publications were written. Some terms are outdated, offensive, and inappropriate.
