Literature search query builder

Turn a research question into keyword sets, Boolean strings and database tips for finding relevant papers.

LLazyPrompt(@lazyprompt)Research & LearningGenerateWorks with any model
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Prompt template
Help me build a literature search for this research question: {{question}}

Databases I will use: {{databases}}. Time window: {{years}}. Study types I prefer: {{study_types}}.

Provide:
1. **Concept breakdown**: split the question into 3 to 4 core concepts (e.g. population, intervention or factor, outcome, context).
2. **Term table**: for each concept, list synonyms, related terms, alternative spellings, abbreviations and broader/narrower terms.
3. **Boolean search strings**: one broad string (high recall) and one narrow string (high precision), written in generic syntax with AND, OR, quotation marks and truncation (*). Note how to adapt it for the databases I named, including controlled vocabulary like MeSH where it applies.
4. **Filters and limits** I should apply, and which to avoid because they hide good results.
5. **Screening criteria**: a short inclusion and exclusion list I can use to triage titles and abstracts.
6. **Gaps**: terms or perspectives I may be missing, plus two backup strategies (citation chaining, key authors to check).

Do not list specific papers or authors unless you are certain they exist; if you mention any, tell me to verify them. If you are unsure about a fact, say so plainly. Never invent citations, quotes, statistics or URLs.
Example output
**Concepts:** (1) population: nurses; (2) intervention: mindfulness training; (3) outcome: burnout. | Concept | Terms | |---|---| | Nurses | nurse*, "nursing staff", "registered nurse*", "healthcare worker*" | | Mindfulness | mindful*, MBSR, "mindfulness-based stress reduction", meditation, "MBCT" | | Burnout | burnout, "burn-out", "emotional exhaustion", "compassion fatigue", "occupational stress" | **Broad string:** (nurse* OR "nursing staff" OR "healthcare worker*") AND (mindful* OR MBSR OR meditation) AND (burnout OR "emotional exhaustion" OR "compassion fatigue") **Narrow string:** (nurse* OR "registered nurse*") AND (mindful* OR MBSR) AND (burnout OR "emotional exhaustion") AND (randomi* OR "systematic review") **Database notes:** In PubMed add MeSH: "Burnout, Professional"[Mesh] and "Mindfulness"[Mesh]. In PsycINFO use the thesaurus term for burnout. Google Scholar: use only the narrow string and scan the first 100 hits. **Filters:** date 2016 onward; avoid language filters until the end. **Screening:** include nurses as main population and a burnout measure; exclude students-only samples and non-mindfulness relaxation only. **Gaps and backups:** check "resilience" and "well-being" as outcomes; citation-chain from the best two reviews you find.

Why it works

Running a broad and a narrow string lets you balance coverage and precision. Test the strings, check hit counts, then ask the model to adjust them based on what you see.

Licensed CC0 (public domain) Version 1 · history