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Searching for evidence using successive fractions Author: Gary Clough Added on Thu Sep 19 13:11:00 BST 2019 Duration: 0:04:06 Using successive fractions involves successively reducing search results to the lowest number by putting the main concepts of an enquiry in, one after the other, adding them together in sequence and looking at the results of each line in order to find the most relevant results. The successive fractions technique is also known as divide and conquer or file partitioning. It allows you to cherry-pick evidence from several small searches each with a slightly different focus on your enquiry but with high relevance according to that focus. It is also a useful strategy for scoping the range of evidence available in response to an enquiry. The Advanced Search Builder in PubMed is used to demonstrate the use of successive fractions. A good way to prepare for this kind of search is to use a framework. Using a framework helps to structure the question by clarifying the main concepts to focus on and the particular choice of the framework you use depends on the topic of interest. Your topic may not fit perfectly into any chosen framework and not all the available concepts within the chosen one have to be used. This video demonstrates the use of the PICOS framework.  

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