Researching for your literature review: Save your searches

It is important to keep good records of the searches you carry out, to avoid having to repeat them if you need to make edits. You will also need to Save them to facilitate being able to run the searches, for each database that you are using for your review, on the same day. The best method is to save copies of your search histories within each database platform. This requires you to set up a free personal account in each relevant database.

You may also choose to create a spreadsheet or search diary to record the details of your searches. In this case, it is always best to cut and paste the searches so that you don't introduce errors when transcribing them.

Instructions for saving searches are in the Help sections of the databases. Or refer to the pdf at the top of this page.

1.  Login to Medline at http://guides.lib.monash.edu/go.php?c=8479877. At the top right of the screen click on My Account.

    2. On the next screen click on Create Account

3.  Fill in the required fields, and then click Create.

Example: Saving a search strategy in Ovid Medline

1.  Login to Ovid Medline at http://guides.lib.monash.edu/go.php?c=8479877

2.  Login to My Account. Click on the Search tab, and then carry out your search.

3.  When you have developed a good search strategy and it gives you a reasonable number of results, go to the Search History and click on Save All.

4.  If you are not already logged into your My Account, you will be prompted to login.

5.  On the Save Current Search page, add a Search Name, Comments (eg the database or other details) and choose Permanent from the Type drop down list.

Choose from the range of options, then click Save.

Example: Viewing/ Editing a saved search strategy in Ovid Medline

1.  Login to Ovid Medline at http://guides.lib.monash.edu/go.php?c=8479877

2.  Click on My Account to login to your personal Ovid Medline account

3.  Click My Workspace

4. In My Workspace click on My Searches & Alerts

5.  Find the search under the name you chose for it and choose from the options available. Click the Eye icon to display the strategy, or the pencil icon to edit the strategy. To run the search, tick the box and click Run.