How do I search for the evidence I need?

Knowledge Network

• On the Knowledge Network you can enter your search terms into the search box on the home page.
• If you want to combine several search terms you can do this using the word “AND” in the search box
• For example, if you have a question about the best amount of physiotherapy after stroke, you would enter: Stroke AND Physiotherapy AND amount

• The search results will have a series of filters, so you can select the type of evidence you wish to view. However if you are looking for systematic reviews, you are better to use the Cochrane Library or DORIS.

Cochrane Library

• If you want to combine several search terms within the Cochrane Library, it is easiest to do this using an advanced search
• Your search for evidence about the best amount of physiotherapy after stroke would look like:

• At the top of the search results you will see the number of Cochrane reviews, other reviews and clinical trials.

• You can browse through the titles for the evidence you need.

DORIS

• Evidence on DORIS has to be browsed using lists of topics and / or interventions.
• DORIS has a step by step guide to using DORIS
• For the question about the best amount of physiotherapy after stroke, you might choose to browse by intervention only – selecting ‘physiotherapy’ and ‘intensity’:

• The search results are categorised by the type of evidence, so you can select the evidence which you require. Generally it is most helpful to start by looking at Guidelines, then Cochrane reviews, other reviews etc – as this provides you with the ‘most’ synthesised information first.