Step 1: Define Your Research Question
Step 2: Identify Key Concepts
Step 3: Develop Synonyms and Related Terms
Identify synonyms and related terms for each key concept. This will help broaden your search and capture relevant literature.
Example:
- Mindfulness meditation: Mindfulness, meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction
- Stress: Psychological stress, emotional stress, stress reduction
- Nursing students: Student nurses, nursing education, undergraduate nursing students
If the database has one use the subject headings database. Google can also be a good source for synonyms.
Step 4: Use Boolean Operators
Combine your key concepts and synonyms using Boolean operators (AND, OR) to create meaningful search strings.
Example Search String:
("Mindfulness meditation" OR Mindfulness OR "Meditation" OR "Mindfulness-based stress reduction")
AND ("Stress" OR "Psychological stress" OR "Emotional stress" OR "Stress reduction")
AND ("Nursing students" OR "Student nurses" OR "Nursing education" OR "Undergraduate nursing students")
Step 5: Refine and Test Your Search String
Review your search string and refine it if needed. Test your search string in CINAHL to see if it retrieves relevant articles. If the search results are too broad or too narrow, adjust the search string accordingly.
You may need to repeat step 3 multiple times to find the right set of keywords.
Step 6: Add Filters
Once your search string starts to return search results add filter such as
Step 7: Save and Document
Save your search string for future reference. Document the search terms, Boolean operators, and any specific database filters or limits you applied.
By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive search string for that helps you find relevant literature related to your research question.