Document Type
White Paper
Original Publication Date
2025
Date of Submission
September 2025
Abstract
This handout updates Doing a Good Search: Basic Rules and Search Tips, originally published in 2024. It outlines the basic principles of doing a good search, from identifying a topic and formulating a clear question to selecting and searching at least two databases. It also includes information on Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), subject headings, and Google Scholar. New to this iteration of the document are best practices for using artificial intelligence in literature and evidence searches.
Remember: Searching is an iterative process, which involves repeated cycles of refinement. Your approach will shift depending on the specific question you're trying to answer.
Update of Doing a Good Search: Basic Rules and Search Tips (2024)
The original version appeared in the following article:
McGrath, J. M., Brown, R. E., & Samra, H. A. (2012). Before you search the literature: how to prepare and get the most out of citation databases. Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews, 12(3), 162–170.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Is Part Of
VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications
Comments
This handout is part of classes and webinars on searching databases like PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and others.