Clinical Queries
Clinical Queries are pre-formulated search strings that can be applied to a search to act as a filter.
In PsycINFO via Ovid, there is a pre-built Clinical Query for Qualitative Research.
The queries are listed below, including the exact queries that are associated with each limit (see HIRU PsycINFO Search Strategies)
Qualitative - Maximizes Sensitivity*
experience:.mp. OR interview:.tw. OR qualitative:.tw.
Qualitative - MaximizesSpecificity
qualitative:.tw. OR themes.tw.
Qualitative - Best Balance
experiences.tw. OR interview:.tw. OR qualitative.tw.
*Sensitivity vs. Specificity: A highly 'sensitive' query will attempt to retrieve all relevant documents, resulting in a broader search, with a greater likelihood of generating false hits. A highly 'specific' query tries to retrieve only relevant documents in a smaller, more precise search. "Best balance" is a search that balances specificity and sensitivity. Note that for a comprehensive literature search, it is important to err on the side of higher sensitivity.
Instructions:Applying a Clinical Query Filter in PsycINFO via Ovid
- Run the search you wish to filter
- Click Additional Limits
- Scroll to the box for Clinical Queries
- Select the query you'd like to apply (Qualitative - Maximizes Sensitivity, Maximized Specificity, or Best Balance*)
- Ensure that the search you wish to limit is selected
- Click Limit a Search
Silent 20 second video clip showing the steps for applying a Clinical Query filter in Ovid PsycINFO.
For a full tutorial (with sound and transcript) about applying filters in the Ovid platform, see this guide.
