Analysis of PICOT Question Framework for Database Searches

This report analyzes the PICOT framework for database searching, focusing on the research of vaptans in hyponatremia. The report details the use of the PICOT framework to formulate a clinical question, select appropriate databases (CINAHL and MEDLINE), and refine search strategies using keywords and Boolean operators. The report also explores the importance of filtering search results by date and applying additional search techniques like MeSH terms and pearling. The study highlights the impact of Boolean operators in refining search results and the importance of streamlining searches for effective literature reviews. The report concludes with the significance of structured searches and the application of PICOT in evidence-based practice.

Running head: PICOT QUESTION FRAMEWORK IN SEARCHING DATABASES
PICOT QUESTION FRAMEWORK IN SEARCHING DATABASES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PICOT QUESTION FRAMEWORK IN SEARCHING DATABASES
PICO(T) question
PICOT format provides a platform to transform a clinical inquiry into an answerable
question that can effectively guide clinical decisions and professional requirements. The
PICOT method stands for “population, intervention, control, outcome, and time” (Boswell &
Cannon, 2018). The clinical inquiry chosen to be researched here is, "Are vaptans effective in
the treatment of hyponatremia?”. Two databases, CINAHL and MEDLINE were used to
conduct an evidence-based literature search with filtering the appropriate original research
articles. The search keywords “vaptans in hyponatremia” used in this case resulted in 170
peer-reviewed articles relevant to vaptans. The time range filtered from 2018-2019 was also
used to get effective results. To achieve a fine-tuned search, additional Boolean operators
were utilized to modify the keywords (Catalog.loc.gov, 2020). After incorporating the
AND/NOT terms to filter the search, the resultant article number was reduced to 20. Thus,
using Boolean operators made the search more manageable. However, using these connectors
could potentially limit the search results, and hence, it is important to reshuffle and rearrange
the keywords to produce a significant literature search. In addition, limits like age range,
publication dates and academic/scholarly journals were applied to increase the specificity of
the research articles. Apart from using Boolean search, some other strategies may be applied
to further strengthen the database search (Ho et al., 2016). A strong and streamlined search
can be conducted by clinical query filters, for example ‘humans’ and a combined use of both
MeSH and Keywords with specific focus on the intended content. Pearling is another
effective way to add into the search terminology through indexes of relevant articles.

2PICOT QUESTION FRAMEWORK IN SEARCHING DATABASES
References
Boswell, C., & Cannon, S. (2018). Introduction to nursing research. Jones & Bartlett
Learning.
Catalog.loc.gov. (2020). Search/Browse Help - Boolean Operators and Nesting: LC Catalog
(Library of Congress). Retrieved 19 March 2020, from
https://catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/ui/en_US/htdocs/help/searchBoolean.html
Ho, G. J., Liew, S. M., Ng, C. J., Shunmugam, R. H., & Glasziou, P. (2016). Development of
a search strategy for an evidence based retrieval service. PloS one, 11(12).