Advanced Search Query Builder in EasySLR

Advanced Search Query Builder in EasySLR

The Advanced Query Builder in EasySLR helps you create structured, transparent, and reproducible search strategies.

It replaces the basic PICOS editor with a more flexible system that provides:
  • Real-time query preview
  • Live result counts
  • Search history tracking
  • Built-in filters
This ensures your search development process is structured, traceable, and audit-ready.

When to Use This Tool
Use the Advanced Query Builder when:
  • Drafting or refining your search strategy
  • Building a structured PICOS-based query
  • Comparing multiple search iterations
  • Estimating screening volume before export
  • Preparing protocol-ready search documentation

How to Access the Advanced Query Builder
  1. Go to Project Home
  2. Navigate to Tools
  3. Select PubMed or Clinicaltrials.gov Query Generation
  4. Scroll to the Advanced Search Query Builder section

Building Your Search Query

Add Terms by PICOS Category
You can organize terms under:
  • Population
  • Intervention
  • Comparison
  • Outcome
  • Study Design

To Add a Term
  1. Select the search field (e.g., Title/Abstract)
  2. Enter your search term
  3. Choose the Boolean operator (AND / OR)
  4. Click Add
The system automatically constructs the query logic based on your inputs.

Real-Time Query Preview
The generated PubMed query appears instantly in the Query Box.

You can:
  • Edit the query manually
  • Combine search lines
  • Reference previous lines (e.g., #1, #2)
  • Adjust Boolean operators
This provides full control over search construction while maintaining structure.

Fetch Live Result Count
Click Count to retrieve the live number of results directly from the database.
This helps you:
  • Estimate screening workload
  • Adjust scope
  • Refine Boolean structure
  • Identify overly broad or overly restrictive terms

Open in Database
Click Open to run the exact generated query directly in the database.

This allows you to:
  • Validate results externally
  • Export citations
  • Confirm search behavior

Using the Filters Panel
The Filters Panel helps refine search results before finalizing your strategy.

Available filter options include:
  • Publication Date (1 year, 5 years, 10 years, custom range)
  • Text Availability (Abstract, Free full text, Full text)
  • Article Type
  • Article Attributes

Filters are organized into collapsible groups for easier navigation.
Use filters carefully to avoid unintended exclusions that may reduce recall.

Search History Tracking
Each time you run a search, the system automatically saves:
  • Query string
  • Result count
  • Recall (if applicable)
  • Time stamp

Key Details
  • Up to 20 search iterations are stored
  • Search history persists across sessions
  • Stored securely within background job metadata

This enables you to:
  • Compare query refinements
  • Track improvements in recall
  • Maintain documentation for audit and reporting

Background Job Detail Panel
The job detail section is collapsible, allowing you to:
  • Reduce screen clutter
  • Focus on query results
  • Improve readability when reviewing search performance

Best Practices & Tips
  • Compare multiple search iterations before finalizing
  • Check live result counts after Boolean revisions
  • Broaden terms if recall is low
  • Apply filters cautiously
  • Open the query in PubMed for external confirmation
  • Document final query and result count in your protocol

Troubleshooting

Result Count Too High?
  • Narrow Boolean logic
  • Add field restrictions (e.g., Title/Abstract)
  • Apply date or article type filters

Result Count Too Low?
  • Broaden search terms
  • Add synonyms
  • Remove restrictive filters

Query Not Updating?
  • Ensure terms are added using the Add button
  • Review Boolean operators
  • Check active filters

Important Note
While EasySLR assists in generating structured search strategies, users are responsible for reviewing and finalising queries. Always verify your search logic and ensure alignment with your protocol before exporting or screening.

Benefits of the Advanced Query Builder
  • Improves search transparency
  • Strengthens reproducibility
  • Automatically tracks search evolution
  • Reduces manual documentation burden
  • Supports protocol-ready reporting
The Advanced Query Builder ensures your search development remains structured, traceable, and methodologically rigorous within EasySLR


    • Related Articles

    • PubMed Integration in EasySLR

      The PubMed Query Generation tool in EasySLR helps you create a ready-to-use search strategy for PubMed in just a few steps. This saves valuable time by eliminating the need to build queries from scratch and ensures your search is comprehensive and ...

    • Search Query Validation Tool in EasySLR

      The Search Query Validation Tool in EasySLR helps you test whether your search strategy successfully retrieves key known studies before starting screening. By validating your query against selected identifiers (PMID, DOI, or Title), the tool measures ...

    • ClinicalTrials.gov Integration in EasySLR

      The ClinicalTrials.gov Query Generation tool in EasySLR helps you create a structured, ready-to-use search strategy for clinical trial registries in just a few steps. By leveraging AI and the PICOS framework, the tool saves time, improves ...

    • List of AI Models Used Across EasySLR

      EasySLR uses purpose-specific GPT models across different review stages to optimise accuracy, performance, and cost efficiency. Each model has been selected based on the complexity and nature of the task it supports, ensuring reliable AI assistance ...

    • Fully Automated TLR Workflow in EasySLR

      EasySLR’s automated, AI-powered TLR workflow is designed to help research teams move from search to report faster, with no human intervention. This feature is especially useful for targeted literature reviews, rapid evidence assessments, and early ...