Example of the structure of a search strategy for a Cochrane review (MEDLINE)
| Helmets for preventing head and facial injuries in bicyclists | ||
| Sets 1-3 are the MeSH terms & text words [words found in the TITLE or ABSTRACT of a record] for the population (i.e bicyclists). They are combined using OR |
1. bicycl* or cycling or cyclist*.ab,ti 2. exp Bicycling/ 3. 1 or 2 |
Population (P) |
| Sets 4-6 are the MeSH terms & text words [words found in the TITLE or ABSTRACT of a record] for the intervention (i.e helmets). They are combined using OR |
4. helmet* .ab,ti 5. exp Head Protective Devices/ 6. 4 or 5 |
Intervention (I) |
| Set 7-17 is one of the Cochrane filters for MEDLINE (OVID) for locating randomised controlled trials i.e. study design filter |
7. randomized controlled trial.pt. 8. controlled clinical trial.pt. 9. randomized.ab. 10. placebo.ab. 11. drug therapy.fs. 12. randomly.ab. 13. trial.ab. 14. groups.ab. 15. 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 16. exp animals/ not humans.sh. 17. 15 not 16 |
Study design (SD) |
| Set 18 is the combination of Population, intervention & study design |
18. 3 and 6 and 17 | Combination of P & I & SD |