How to Plan and Perform Searches in the Scientific Literature?

Abstract

A brief literature search enables the identification of the scarcity of researches aimed at assisting researchers during their research in the scientific literature, what highlights the importance of discussing this subject. The objectives of this study are to discuss the importance of literature reviews and to provide information to assist in planning and implementation of efficient searches in the scientific literature available digitally. For this purpose, general information about the importance of literature reviews and some guidelines for the selection of suitable search platforms, the definition of search terms and the use of Boolean, wildcard, truncation and proximity operators are presented. In addition, some examples of studies that may help new researchers to search the literature are presented. More important than following the guidelines presented here is to have contact with a part of the complexity involved in the searches in scientific literature and to recognize the need for seeking information about this subject and to explore the tools offered by diverse search platforms.