Searching PubMed - Questions about using EPPI-Reviewer

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24/01/2011 11:45

Laura Macdonald

Joined: 15/05/2013

Posts: 8

Searching PubMed

I am having trouble searching PubMed through EPPI-Reviewer.

I am using the 'Add Source'>'PubMed Import' function. If I have only a few search terms, then there is no problem, but once I start to build up more complex searches, I find that I cannot enter all the search terms into the 'Search PubMed' box. Once the search box is full, I can continue to add search terms up until a point, but I can't see them. Then it gets to the point where I can't add any further search terms. Sorry, it is a bit difficult to explain. I wonder if there is something I am doing wrong?

Also, I'm not sure if it would be possible to allow searches to be copied and pasted into EPPi-Reviewer? This function would be useful to save time if the same search is being run in multiple databases.

24/01/2011 11:59

Jeff Brunton

Joined: 17/10/2011

Posts: 594

Re: Searching PubMed

Hello Laura,

Could I ask how long the search string is that you are entering. Although there isn't a maximum length on the search string that can be sent, there are some limitations on how it is displayed in the interface based on it's length.

You can copy and paste the search string into the text box but you need to use the keyboard controls, Copy (Ctrl-C), Cut (Ctrl-X) and Paste (Ctrl-V) rather than right clicking the mouse.

If you cut and paste the whole search string into the box do you see all of it? Or is it getting cut off? Even if it is getting cut off it may all be there when you run the search. But, to be safe you may wish to run the search directly on the PubMed site if the search string is extremely long.

Best regards,

Jeff

24/01/2011 12:32

Accepted Answer

Laura Macdonald

Joined: 15/05/2013

Posts: 8

Re: Searching PubMed

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the advice. I used the keyboard controls to copy and paste the search into the search box. I can see almost all of the search string in the box when I do it this way, although the very last search term is out of view. I think it must be there though because I ran the search on the PubMed site directly and got the same number of results.

(The search I am running has about 100 terms).

Laura

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