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HCAP: Health Care Assistant Program

Resources and Tools for the HCAP Program

What is a search strategy?

A search strategy is an organized combination of keywords, phrases, subject headings, and limiters used to search a database.

Your search strategy will include:

  • keywords 

  • boolean operators like (AND/OR/NOT)

  • variations of search terms (synonyms, suffixes)

  • subject headings 

Your search strategy may include:

  • truncation (Like * where applicable)

  • phrases (where applicable)

  • limiters (date, language, age, publication type, etc.)

A search strategy usually requires several iterations. You will need to test the strategy along the way to ensure that you are finding relevant articles. It's also a good idea to review your search strategy with your co-authors. They may have ideas about terms or concepts you may have missed.

Additionally, each database you search is developed differently. You will need to adjust your strategy for each database your search.

Searching Techniques

This page includes information about some advanced searching techniques which will aid your research.