Search strategies refers to the process of breaking down a topic into keywords and phrases for searching - particularly online searching. Never just type in your whole topic as you are talking to a machine and search engines search word by word. You need to search with subject words.
Think of synonyms as different disciplines may use different terminology eg maize or corn; you may want to add a place name and also see what each database offers you as refining options - eg language, time period and so on. Be careful of using acronyms or abbreviations as these may not pick up all literature.
Most databases and even Google Scholar offer you an advanced search option. Look for the 'search tips' or 'help' buttons for information on how to use advanced search features. Here you can not only specify search options before you run a search but you can also use Boolean operators to combine or exclude eg AND is an instruction to find all the word options (many databases presume an 'and' between words unless otherwise specified); OR is useful when there are synonyms eg children OR youth; and NOT enables you to exlude a word or phrase in your results eg women NOT girls. And, or, not are the most common Boolean operators but there are others.
Some databases also give you options for where you want your search conducted eg you can ask for a search of your terms to be undertaken only in the titles or abstracts of documents or anywhere within the full text. Where you choose to search will affect your results. You can often also limit by type of publication and document as well as language in some databases.
Depending on the purpose of your searching, or type of literature review, your search starting point and process and order of searching may differ. Once you have found literature you will then need to read and evaluate in terms of fitness for purpose.
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