Searching the literature to support evidence-based practice requires the use of filtering strategies, such as limiters. A search strategy helps to systematically apply limits to database search results to sift through the profusion of published literature.
Limits to use:
The instructions below depict beginning strategies for limiting by publication type (or methodology) in each selected database.
Limiting (filtering) strategies:
Step 2:
Step 4:
More limiting strategies in CINAHLPlus:
–A detailed explanation of the strategies behind these limits can be found at http://hiru.mcmaster.ca/hiru/HIRU_Hedges_home.aspx
Unlike CINAHL, Medline does not have a publication type that simply says “Research,” and it does not have a filter for "peer-reviewed," but you may filter your results for higher levels of evidence by limiting to Article type, for example,
“clinical trial or meta-analysis or randomized controlled trial.”
If the popular Filters described above do not include your "study type," try a search using PubMed MeSH terms available for study methodologies:
*PubMed Clinical Queries display citations filtered to a specific clinical study category and scope. (Pubmed equivalents)
*PubMed Special Queries provide preformulated interfaces for:
Check the Limit boxes as shown to search only scholarly journals or peer-reviewed journals. Leave the box empty to include other sources in your search.
A publication is considered to be Scholarly if it is published for an academic audience by a recognized society with academic goals and missions.
A publication is considered to be Peer-reviewed if it has been assessed by other scholars in the same field for quality of scholarship, relevance to the field, and appropriateness for the journal. Most (but not all) scholarly publications are peer reviewed. Some trade publications and magazine are also peer reviewed.
"Peer reviewed" (or "refereed" journals) are those that subject content to a critical review by other experts in the field prior to accepting a manuscript for publication. Thus, limiting your literature search to the peer-reviewed journals ensures a higher level of scholarship and research methodology. Magazines, trade journals, and newspapers tend to be "non-peer-reviewed," meaning perhaps just the editor or someone who is not an expert in the field has reviewed the content before publishing. How do you know if a journal citation is from a peer-reviewed journal?