Literature search query builder

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

Change note: Initial version

Prompt

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.

Variables

• {{question}}Research questiontextrequired

  Default: Does mindfulness training reduce burnout in nurses?

• {{databases}}Databasestextrequired

  Default: PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar

• {{years}}Time windowtextrequired

  Default: last 10 years

• {{study_types}}Study typestext

  Default: randomized trials and systematic reviews

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.

Notes

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.