Search Strategy Formulation Services – Enhancing Precision in Evidence Synthesis

Optimizing Literature Search for Systematic and Evidence-Based Research

A well-defined search strategy is the cornerstone of any systematic review, meta-analysis, scoping review, or health technology assessment (HTA). Precision, reproducibility, and comprehensive coverage of relevant literature are essential to ensure the validity and reliability of evidence synthesis.

At Clievi, we specialize in search strategy formulation, ensuring a structured, transparent, and exhaustive search process for medical, clinical, epidemiological, and health economics research. Our expert team designs, validates, and optimizes search strategies across multiple databases, ensuring alignment with PRISMA, Cochrane, and other evidence-based research guidelines.

Our Search Strategy Formulation Services

1. Development of Highly Sensitive & Specific Search Strategies

• PICO & SPIDER Framework Application – Structuring search queries using Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) and Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type (SPIDER) frameworks.
• Boolean Logic & Controlled Vocabulary Integration – Utilizing AND, OR, NOT operators for precise query formulation, ensuring balance between sensitivity (broad retrieval) and specificity (removing irrelevant results).
• MeSH & Emtree Term Optimization – Implementing Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Emtree (Embase Thesaurus) for concept mapping and indexing accuracy.
• Free-Text & Truncated Keyword Enhancement – Using wildcards, truncation, proximity operators, and phrase searching to capture all relevant variations of key terms.

2. Multi-Database Search Strategy Development

• Comprehensive Literature Coverage – Tailoring database-specific queries to maximize relevant findings from:
  • Biomedical & Clinical Databases: PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science
  • Regulatory & Drug Safety Databases: FDA, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP, EU-CTR
  • Health Economics & Outcomes Research (HEOR) Databases: EconLit, NHSEED, Tufts CEA Registry
  • Epidemiological & Public Health Databases: Global Burden of Disease (GBD), TrinetX, WHO Database, National Family Health Survey (NFHS)
  • Grey Literature Sources: OpenGrey, ProQuest Dissertations, Preprint Servers (MedRxiv, SSRN, ResearchGate)

3. Validation & Quality Assessment of Search Strategies

• PRISMA-S & PRESS Checklist Compliance – Ensuring search strategies meet Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Search Strategies (PRISMA-S) and Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) standards.
• Pilot Searches & Iterative Refinement – Running test searches, refining queries based on retrieval relevance and recall, and optimizing for minimizing noise and maximizing inclusivity.
• Reproducibility & Transparency Documentation – Recording search strings, date of search, database settings, and filters applied for methodological rigor and replication feasibility.

4. Search Strategy Execution & Data Extraction Support

• Automated Literature Retrieval & Citation Management – Using software like EndNote, Mendeley, Covidence, and Rayyan for streamlined literature screening and de-duplication.
• Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria Optimization – Structuring search filters to align with eligibility criteria, ensuring only relevant studies are retrieved.
• Handsearching & Supplementary Searching – Identifying key references from bibliographies, expert consultations, and conference proceedings to supplement database searches.

Why Choose Clievi for Search Strategy Formulation?

• Expert Search Strategy Developers – A team of medical librarians, systematic review specialists, and domain-specific experts ensures high-quality search optimization.
• Tailored & Database-Specific Approaches – Customized search strategies based on the nature of research, study objectives, and funding agency requirements.
• Compliance with Global Standards – Adherence to Cochrane Handbook, PRISMA, PRESS, and other systematic review guidelines.
• Robust Quality Assurance – Pilot testing, iterative search refinements, and detailed documentation for transparency.
• Efficient & Time-Saving Execution – Enabling researchers to focus on evidence synthesis while we handle literature retrieval.

Enhance Your Evidence Synthesis with Clievi’s Precision-Driven Search Strategies

A meticulously formulated search strategy is crucial for generating high-quality, unbiased, and reproducible systematic reviews and meta-analyses. At Clievi, we ensure that no critical evidence is overlooked, delivering efficient, transparent, and methodologically rigorous literature search solutions for clinical and healthcare research.