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Ovid Search Builder - helping you to create your search strategy

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 You can use the Ovid Search Builder tool to help you to create sophisticated search strategies easily; to find the information you need quickly.

What is the Ovid Search Builder Tool?

The Ovid Search Builder tool is an interface that guides you through the steps needed to help you to create complex but focussed search strategies. 

  • You can add keywords that can then be mapped to synonyms and database thesaurus terms
  • You can select from a range of filters to focus your search
  • You can set alerts so that you stay up-to-date with the latest research matching your search criteria

How do you access it?

The Ovid Search Builder is only available via Ovid databases. These are only available to our NHS users via the native Ovid database interface. You'll find a link to Ovid on our NHS Resources page. Select the Ovid link and log in with your NHS OpenAthens username. The Ovid Search Builder button is on the top menu bar.

Screen-shot of Ovid search interface
Screen-shot of Ovid search interface showing the Ovid Search Builder button


How do you use it?

The Search Builder tool is easy to use. Enter your keywords into the search box. You can add extra rows for each keyword. Then select any database descriptors and synonyms from the lists available. Next select from the range of specialised filters.

Screen-shot of some of the options in the Ovid Search Builder
Screen-shot of some of the options in the Ovid Search Builder

More help

Ovid have created an excellent video to take you through the steps you need to follow to make the most of the Ovid Search Builder tool.

If you would like any more help, please contact the library training team.


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