Block search

Block searching is a search method which is good when you are searching in an exhaustive and structured way. As each search term is a block of its own, you can very easily adjust your search by either adding or removing terms. This search strategy is the basis for a structured or systematic literature review.

Example: If your topic is about ”how teenagers can learn by using computer games in school”…

Step 1. Group your similar search terms, synonyms etc.

Group 1: teenager, adolescent, young people

Group 2: learn, teach, understand, develop, knowledge

Group 3: game, gaming, computer game

Step 2. Do a search for every group of words in a relevant database.

Translate to ”database language”

Group 1: teenager* OR adolescent* OR ”young people”

Group 2: learn* OR teach* OR understand* OR knowledge

Group 3: game* OR gaming OR ”computer game*”

Step 3. Combine your searches using AND (t ex #1 AND #2 AND #3)

Block Search
Block 1	teenager* OR adolescent* OR ”young people”
	AND
Block 2	learn* OR teach* OR understand* OR knowledge
	AND
Block 3	game* OR gaming OR ”computer game*”