PICOT Question and Search Strategy Template
Use with the library guide:
- Define your question using (review the “” page as needed):
Population: __________________________________________________________________
Intervention: __________________________________________________________________
Comparison: __________________________________________________________________
Outcome: __________________________________________________________________
Time (optional): __________________________________________________________________
- Write out your question: ______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
- Write down the most important words from your in the gray boxes. For each top term, add synonyms or related terms in the boxes below it. All these are your search terms.
- Review the “Best Bets” in the . Check the databases you will search:
__ CINAHL Complete (*Recommended) __ Nursing & Allied Health __ Public Health Database | __ Health & Medical Collection __ OVID Nursing Full Text Plus __ PubMed Central |
- Write in your first search below. Follow the instructions on the “” page.
OR |
AND |
- Scholarly/peer reviewed Limit publication date:
- Type of studies you want to include in your search:
__ Systematic Review or Meta-Analysis __ Clinical Practice Guidelines | __ Individual Research Studies __ Critically Appraised Research Studies |
- What information did you find to help answer your question?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This form is adapted from: Syrene A. Miller, PICO and Search Strategy, National Center for Dental Hygiene Research