Research Builder

Turn a topic into a transparent framework, keyword map, Boolean search strategy and search-process table. This tool helps you plan and document searches; it does not search live databases for you.

Search integrity first

Use these outputs as planning and documentation support only. Run the searches yourself through your library or chosen database, record the real result counts, and never invent articles or search results.

1. Topic, framework and database focus

Working topic, title or research question

Subject area / programme

Level

Framework

Database/search platform focus

This prepares a manual record only; restricted databases need your own library access.

2. Concepts and keywords

Fill the boxes that match your framework. Leave comparison blank if your question does not need one.

Population / problem

Intervention / exposure / phenomenon

Comparison / context

Outcome

Setting

Existing keywords, synonyms or subject headings

3. Limits, article notes and tutor criteria

Date range

Language

Article type

Peer-reviewed filter

Existing article notes

Tutor notes / marking criteria

4. Build search process

Generate a structured research plan with framework concepts, Boolean strings and documentation tables.

Add a topic plus at least one concept, keyword, article note or tutor requirement before building the AI-assisted plan.

Manual preview

Your manual scaffold updates as you type. If AI planning is unavailable, copy or download this version.

Copy-friendly full plan

RESEARCH AND SEARCH-PROCESS PLAN
Manual planning scaffold - run and verify searches in the real database.

Working topic/title: [add working topic]
Level: Undergraduate
Subject/programme: [add subject or programme]
Framework: PEO
Database/platform focus: CINAHL-style manual record

Draft research question:
In [population/problem], how does [intervention/exposure] affect [outcome]?

Framework table:
- Population / problem: [to be refined]
  Keywords: [add keywords]
- Exposure / intervention: [to be refined]
  Keywords: [add keywords]
- Outcome: [to be refined]
  Keywords: [add keywords]

Boolean search strings:
Broad: [add concepts and keywords to build a broad search]
Focused: [add a setting, context or limit to build a focused search]
Alternative: [try an alternative wording set after your first search]

Search-process table:
Database/platform | Search string | Filters/limits | Result count | Inclusion criteria applied | Studies/articles included
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
CINAHL-style manual record | [add concepts and keywords to build a broad search] | Last 5-10 years; English; Peer-reviewed journal articles; Yes, where available | [record after running search] | [record which inclusion criteria you applied] | [record included studies/articles]
CINAHL-style manual record | [add a setting, context or limit to build a focused search] | Last 5-10 years; English; Peer-reviewed journal articles; Yes, where available | [record after running search] | [record which inclusion criteria you applied] | [record included studies/articles]

Inclusion criteria:
- Last 5-10 years if justified by the brief
- English publications if required
- Peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to the question
- Studies that directly address the population, concept and outcome

Exclusion criteria:
- Articles outside the topic, population, setting or outcome
- Opinion pieces or non-academic sources unless your tutor allows them
- Duplicates, inaccessible full texts or studies outside the date/language limits

Article shortlist scaffold:
1. [Author/year/title after you run the search]
   Why it may be relevant: [record relevance]
   Decision: Include / exclude / unsure
   Notes: [record notes]

Data extraction scaffold:
1. [Author/year]
   Aim: [fill after reading]
   Design: [fill after reading]
   Sample/setting: [fill after reading]
   Key findings: [fill after reading]
   Strengths: [fill after reading]
   Limitations: [fill after reading]
   Relevance: [fill after reading]

Integrity note:
This is a planning aid only. Do not report result counts or included studies until you have run and verified the search in the actual database.

Tutor notes / marking criteria:
[add tutor notes if available]