Searching systematically: literature searching in a systematic way

Documenting your search will help you

• keep track of what you've done so that you don't repeat unproductive searches
• re-use successful search strategies to find newly published papers on the subject
• describe your search process for manuscripts
• justify your search process

This is a critical step for rigorous review papers, such as systematic reviews. Documenting searches for other types of literature reviews is not essential, but will help you stay organised and, perhaps, save you some time.

You can use a sheet of paper,  or open a blank word document,  or use sticky notes on your device.   It does not matter, as long as you write down your question,   look at your question and try and find the concepts. Think about the keywords or terms relating to the concept and write/type them into your document.  

See here a sample search planning form which includes the PICO question framework.