Systematic review searches must be documented in sufficient detail to allow others to be able to assess the thoroughness of the search. You will need to keep track of:
- Each database searched, together with the platform searched via (eg. OVID Medline, OVID PsycINFO, CSA Sociological Abstracts)
- The date each search were conducted
- Subject headings and keywords used – including whether terms were exploded, truncated, etc
- Search history, including the combination of terms
- Number of results retrieved for each search and combination
- Total number of records
- Duplicates identified
- Numbers pre-screening and post-screening
In addition, all searches conducted via handsearching must identify the source (name of journal, conference proceedings, etc), plus the years.