Literature search: 6. Recording search process

We developed the search tracker/literature logbook to:

1. document your search question with search terms and operators to easily create search queries (block search method);
2. document your search history and applied queries;
3. keep track of your found publications and their essential information

In the first tab of the search tracker you note the main concepts / keywords of your research question and list search terms for each key concept. The AND/OR operators are already filled in on the right places between the concepts and the search terms so you can build your query immediately.

This tab is based on the principle of block search. Useful chapters of this libguide for the first tab: from topic to research question, from research question to keywords, search terms.

In the second tab of the search tracker you copy the search queries you used in the various databases, including the filters and search fields. Useful chapters of this libguide for the second tab: databases, block search.

In the third tab of the search tracker you keep track of your found publications and their essential information. Useful chapters of this libguide for the third tab: evaluation and selection, referencing, search strategies