Acquiring Evidence

Search filters are standardized strategies that help identify higher quality literature within many of the medical databases. They are very useful for narrowing a search to high quality study designs but can also be used for other topics or age groups.

To incorporate a search filter into a search strategy, use AND to combine the final set of subject search with the final set of the filter.

• Diagnostic Studies
• Participatory or Community Research
• Prognostic Studies
• Qualitative Studies
• Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
• Evaluative Instruments (e.g. surveys, checklists, screening, etc)

Watch this short video for more information on how to incorporate search filters into your own search!

A repository of search filters recommended or created by U of A Librarians.