Except that it is useful for yourself to document your searches during the review process, it is important to include such documentation in the final publication. The methodology and results of searching is critical to every review of the systematic kind. It is crucial that the search process and method is described as transparently as possible for the search to be reproducible.
PRISMA-S (2020) is a standard describing what search documentation in the case of a systematic review should include. Even if you do not conduct a strictly systematic review, a checklist may be helpful to structure searches and ensure you have not disregarded anything in your searches.
One way of providing an overall idea of the search process is using a flow chart. The requirements for reporting searches often follow the PRISMA statement. http://www.prisma-statement.org/). This flow chart is a well-known standard for how to visualize the difference between search results and the final selection of studies based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.
One way to get an overview of the search process is to use a flow chart. PRISMA flow diagram is an established standard for how such a chart can be designed. The chart clarifies the difference between the search result and the final selection based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.
What kind of information should be included in the search documentation?
It is important that the search documentation includes:
LiU researchers and PhD students can consult a librarian, for example when doing a literature review for a dissertation or a systematic review. Together we will look at your specific research questions and discuss topics such as:
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