A structured approach to documenting a search strategy for publication: a 12 step guideline for authors.
OBJECTIVE
This paper describes a structured approach for documenting a search strategy, prior to the scholarly critique and review of the retrieved literature.


BACKGROUND
There has been a shift in publication expectations when it comes to the presentation of a literature review, from the more traditional narrative review to a more systematic approach, following a specific framework.


METHODS
This paper presents a 12 step framework for documenting the search strategy prior to undertaking a critique and synthesis of the retrieved literature. The authors provide a worked example about potential sources of cross contamination including hospital bath basins and soap and water bathing.


CONCLUSIONS
An overview of the 12 step framework is presented. This includes step-by-step instructions on how to conduct and write a search strategy for a literature review. A number of resources available for creating reviews and critiquing reviews are referenced, but these are not exclusive.


CONCLUSIONS
Reviews can be an important and valuable contribution when undertaken well, providing the reader with evidence of a clear structure. This paper provides a 12 step framework that will be of benefit to students, educationalists, and researchers required to embark on a review.
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, Newcastle 2308, Australia. Ashley.Kable@newcastle.edu.au
Ashley K
AK
Kable
Jacqueline
J
Pich
Sian E
SE
Maslin-Prothero
D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012196:Review Literature as Topic