Once you have finalized your search strategy across all the relevant databases you will need to run them and export the files. All of the final searching and exporting should be done on the same day so you can report the date run in your methods. 

Set up a folder to save your exported files. Consider renaming your exported file to something that identifies it:

database_date_numberofresults.ris

Running the Searches

1. Run each database search separately
   • Do not combine databases - reviews require them to be searched and reported individually. 
2. Save your search to your account
   • This will help in case you need to re-run it later (to update your review).
   • Name it using the database name so you remember which search belongs to which database.
3. Export ALL results as an RIS file
   • Do not screen your results at this step. You will screen your articles in the next step.
   • In some cases, a large number of results may need to be downloaded in batches. 
4. Note all of your searches in your search log
   • Including terms, combinations with AND/OR, limiters, database name, date searched, number of results.
   • you can screen shot your search or send it to your email, or cut and paste it into an Excel file. The goal is to create a reproducible record of what you searched. See below for sample search log.