Literature Search Strategy Template
This Excel workbook has three sheets: a concept grid for building search blocks, a search log for exact strings, and a de-duplication tally.
What is inside
- Concept grid (PICO element, MeSH, synonyms)
- Search log (date, database, exact string, limits, records)
- Deduplication tally with an automatic screening count
How to use it
- List each concept and its synonyms before opening a database.
- Paste the exact string you ran into the log, with the date.
- Record the number retrieved per database, then the duplicates removed.
- Reuse the log to report your search under PRISMA-S.
Example (illustrative)
A log line: Date run; Database: PubMed; String: ("hypertension"[MeSH Terms] OR hypertens[tiab]) AND ...; Records: 1,204.* (Illustrative.)
Limitations and cautions
The workbook records and organises searches; it does not run them and it does not check your syntax. Search syntax differs by database, so check each translated strategy and have a librarian review it if possible. The file is free to use and edit, and the footer credits MedResearch Ninja.
References and further reading
- Rethlefsen ML, Kirtley S, Waffenschmidt S, et al. PRISMA-S: an extension to the PRISMA statement for reporting literature searches in systematic reviews. Syst Rev. 2021;10:39. doi:10.1186/s13643-020-01542-z
- National Library of Medicine. PubMed User Guide. Link
- National Library of Medicine. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Link
Related reading
MRN templates are original, editable starting points. Reporting standards (PRISMA, CARE, ICMJE and others) belong to their authors: use the official versions linked above for formal submissions.