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NISH (NITAG Support Hub) 1 - General: How to search for evidence

What are library guides? Library guides are helpful resources that provide users with information and guidance on how to effectively use resources and services.

The PICO model

PATIENT OR PROBLEM
How would you describe a group of patients similar to yours? What are the most important characteristics of the patient?

INTERVENTION, EXPOSURE, PROGNOSTIC FACTOR
What main intervention, exposure, or prognostic factor are you considering? What do you want to do with this patient?

COMPARISON
What is the main alternative being considered, if any?

OUTCOME
What are you trying to accomplish, measure, improve or affect?

PICO determines the MeSH terms and keywords

 PICO should help you choose the key concepts for your search.

  • For each concept that you identify, consider using synonyms (alternative terms) including alternative spelling. You can combine these using the OR operator (see Searching in a database - search operators.)
     
  • Combine the concepts with the AND operator. Many databases allow you to search for keywords or key concepts one at a time, and then combine the search sets later, using your Search History. This is the best way to search if you are using a thesaurus such as CINAHL Headings or MeSH (Medical Subject Headings).
     
  • Consider searching in a selected field(s), such as title or subject. Searching using CINAHL Headings or MeSH is the most advanced way to do this.
     
  • Consider using truncation, and proximity searching.
     
  • Consider limiters that will restrict your search, such as language, date of publication, type of study, age group etc. You can apply these either as part of your search, or to your search results. The specialised databases usually have specialised limiters.