Search Strategies for PsycINFO in Ovid Syntax

PsycINFO strategies were derived using a 64-journal subset. To view the PsycINFO strategies, click on the relevant article category (therapyreview, qualitative).

To view the search filters for EMBASE and MEDLINE, please click on the appropriate link. To find out more about the Hedges Project, click here.


Therapy - PsycINFO

Filter type


Ovid Filter

Sens / spec / prec / acc(%)
Maximizes sensitivity

control:.tw.
OR random:.tw.
OR exp treatment

98 / 52 / 7 / 54
Maximizes specificity

double-blind.tw.
OR random: assigned:.tw.

52 / 98 / 47 / 96
Best balance of sensitivity and specificity

double-blind.tw.
OR random: asigned.tw.
OR control.tw.

79 / 80 / 13 / 80

Review - PsycINFO

Filter type


Ovid Filter

Sens / spec / prec / acc(%)
Maximizes sensitivity

risk:.tw.
OR search:.tw.
OR exp treatment

81 / 54 / 2 / 55
Maximizes specificity

meta-analysis.tw.
OR search:.tw.

52 / 98 / 20 / 98
Best balance of sensitivity and specificity

control:.tw.
OR effectiveness.tw.
OR risk:.tw.

66 / 65 / 2 / 65

Qualitative - PsycINFO

Filter type


Ovid Filter

Sens / spec / prec / acc(%)
Maximizes sensitivity

experience:.mp.
OR interview:.tw.
OR qualitative:.tw.

94 / 79 / 8 / 80
Maximizes specificity

qualitative:.tw.
OR themes.tw.

50 / 99 / 43 / 98
Best balance of sensitivity and specificity

experiences.tw.
OR interview:.tw.
OR qualitative.tw.

86 / 87 / 12 / 87