Step 3 (cont): Run your search in PubMed


Search for each concept separately, using as many synonyms per concept that you can think of, then combine them together. 

An example of a PubMed search:

 

For a protocol investigating the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in rats, mice, guinea pigs and rabbits using imaging.

 

First, click on the Advanced link on the PubMed search page:

A screen shot showing where to find the advanced search function in PubMed.

 

Use the drop-down menus to build your search.  Click Show index list to see a list of possible terms:

A screen shot from PubMed showing where to find the Show Index List link.

 

Then select your term from the drop-down menu and link each term with OR:

A screen shot from PubMed showing where to link searches with the OR search function.

 

Using the advanced feature, search on each concept.  Here's the search from PubMed as copied from it's Search Builder:

  • Search #1: ("diagnosis") OR "assessment"
  • Search #2: "osteomyelitis"
  • Search #3: ((("rat") OR "guinea pig") OR "mice") OR "rabbit"
  • Search #4: ((((((("imaging") OR "radio") OR "marker") OR "biomarker") OR "noninvasive") OR "mri") OR "tomography") OR "ultrasound"

 

Next, in the History, click on the Add link next to each of your searches.  Each time you do, you'll see the search terms added to the Search Builder at the top of the page.  Be sure to select AND, OR or NOT from the drop-down menu to the left of each search that you send to the top of the page. Click Search.  You'll see your final results list:

A screenshot from PubMed showing results from a final search.