What is a systematic literature search of multiple databases - Pubrica
                     WHAT IS A SYSTEMATIC  
LITERATURE SEARCH OF  
MULTIPLE DATABASES
An Academic presentation by
Dr. Nancy Agens, Head, Technical Operations, 
Pubrica  Group: www.pubrica.com
Email: [email protected]
Today's 
Discussion
Outlin
e
In brief Search of Multiple Databases
Introduction Variations in Search Terms  
Selection of Relevant Translation between 
Databases  Different Types of Databases  Conclusion
Database Future Scope
Selection of Keywords that 
should be used for the Search
In 
Brief
Systematic literature search requires to organize and confront  
the search process in a structured manner. Systematic literature 
 search has a higher chance of avoiding differences and bias in 
a  systematic review. The performed use of multiple databases 
 for a systematic literature search is the following four 
databases,  which are EMBASE, Web of Science Core 
Collection,  MEDLINE, and Google Scholar.
Introductio
n
A systematic literature search is a process of searching literature in a structured and pre- 
 planned manner, and it is considered to be a critical component of the review process.
Systematic search studies are aimed at identifying a transparent report of the research, 
 and this process can make the readers know about the review, what was done to  
determine the report and how the collected evidence supports the systematic review.
The primary advantage of using a systematic literature review has a higher chance of  
avoiding bias, and as well the process allows in enabling to identify the literature gaps in 
 the primary or existing research.
Thus, through preventing the risk of bias, the search studies become reproducible.
Selection of Relevant 
Databases
After choosing keywords for a systematic search study, now the author has to select the 
 appropriate databases that give relevant research studies to the formulated question.
See Also: What is the formulation of the research question in systematic review?  
It is always good to search in multiple databases that can supplement each other.
It is advised to check the data provided by the individual databases, so that the author 
 can be aware of the database has a bias towards geographical literature difference.
Different Types of 
Database
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATABASES: This database will have everything about a topic, 
 a person, a geographical area, institution, etc.
LIBRARY DATABASES: It reflects what can be physically and electronically found 
 through one or more libraries.
JOURNAL DATABASES: This database is commonly consisting of published 
journals
from a specific supplier.
SPECIALIZED DATABASES: This database will have grey literature, conference 
 papers, compositions, OA repositories, artefacts, etc.
Selection of Keywords that should be 
used  for the Search:
While making the selection of appropriate keywords for search strategy, it is not
mandatorily required to use all the words from the formulated research question.
Less essential words from the question can be removed from the search strategy to 
 avoid unnecessary complications.
With the help of Fig. 1 keyword can be ordered by the importance and their specificity 
 on a question to determine the best search strategy.
By using this principle in choosing the keywords, for instance, keywords can be 
 rated between specific and important to general and unimportant.
Contd..
Fig. 1: 
Schematic  
Diagram for  
Determining 
the  Optimal 
Order of  
Elements
Search of Multiple 
Databases:
It is highly recommended to use of multiple databases along with added search strateg
ies  to search relevant references for conducting a systematic review.
A systematic literature search should include all the research articles that match the 
 eligible criteria irrespective of the language, sample size and journal influence.
See Also: What is a Systematic Review?
A comprehensive search should consist of multiple databases such as EMBASE, 
 Medline, Ovid, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Google Scholar and Scopus.
Using multiple databases can be time-consuming and vigorous owing to the 
database-  specific search strategies.
Variations in Search 
Terms:
During the search process, variations in search terms such as truncation, spelling  
differences opposites and abbreviations will be very helping in getting all the relevant 
 search results.
For example, truncation allows the researcher to search for words like therap* will 
 thus retrieve therapy, therapeutic, therapies, etc.
Every database contains a reference to published articles using both American and  
British English spellings, and many interfaces offer a particular word with a character 
 to get related search results.
For example, “paediatric” or “pediatric” can be searched as “p?ediatric.”
Contd..
Table1: Field 
Codes  for 
Biomedical  
Literature Search 
in  Top used 
Interfaces  
(Obtained from  
htt
ps://www.ncbi.nl  
m.nih.
gov/pmc/articl  
es/PMC6148622/)
Translation between 
Databases:
Multiple database search had to be done to retrieve as many relevant references as  
possible and translating complicated and exhausting findings between databases will 
 be time-consuming and burdensome.
To overcome that burden and save time, Erasmus University Medical Center
developed to find and replace method for biomedical and health science questions.
Using the five different macros, a search can be translated relatively quick into eight  
significant databases, and the dotted lines represent databases that are used in less 
 than 80% of the searches.
Contd..
Fig. 2: Schematic Representation of Translation between Databases 
(Obtained  from htt
ps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6148622/)
Conclusio
n
A systematic review uses scientific methods in finding results from multiple primary  
research studies and a combination of various databases would yield more publication 
 journals than using an individual database, which can help to make accurate decisions.
Few literatures suggest using a combination of databases, depending on the review  
topic or the area of research and majority of the literature states that searching one 
 database may prove to be insufficient, thus leading to missing references.
Future 
Scopes
Pubrica provides support in writing a systematic review on biomedical or healthcare 
 areas such as public health interventions, environmental interventions, adverse  
effects, clinical trials, and social interventions and offers you complete support across 
 a variety of journals, publications, and books.
Our technical expert team provides complete support from translating your concept 
 to incisive report, and we will be with you through the entire publication stages.
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