Searching PubMed for Types of Studies
Compiled by Mick Draper
Last updateOctober 2009
Click here to search for the Highly Sensitive Search Strategy (2005 revision) for finding randomized controlled trials in PubMed.
The searches below were designed by Mick Draper
Search PubMed for Cross Sectional Studies
Here is a MeSH definition From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Cohort Studies
(includes Longitudinal Studies, Follow Up Studies, and Prospective Studies)
MeSH definition of Cohort Studies From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Longitudinal Studies
(includes Follow Up Studies, and Prospective Studies)
MeSH definition of Longitudinal Studies From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Follow-Up Studies
MeSH Definition of Follow-Up Studies From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Prospective Studies
MeSH Definition of Prospective Studies From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Case Control Studies
(includes Retrospective Studies)
MeSH Definition of Case Control Studies From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Retrospective Studies
MeSH Definition of Retrospective Studies From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Practice Guidelines
MeSH Definition of Practice Guidelines From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for articles with the phrase Case Series in the title or abstract
Search PubMed for Systematic Reviews
Search PubMed for Meta analysis
MeSH Definition of Meta analysis. From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Clinical Trials
MeSH Definition of Clinical Trial. From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Comparative Studies
MeSH Definition of Comparative Study. From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Evaluation Studies
MeSH Definition of Evaluation Studies. From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Multicentre Studies
MeSH Definition of Multicenter Study. From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Twin Studies
MeSH Definition of Twin Study. From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Validation Studies
MeSH Definition of Validation Studies. From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Empirical Research
(includes qualitative research)
MeSH Definition of Empircal Research. From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
Search PubMed for Qualitative Research
MeSH Definiation of Qualitative Research. From the National Library of Medicine MeSH Database
What sort of Study Type is best to answer a clinical question.
The table below was compiled from
| Question Type |
Study Type |
| Therapy |
- Systematic review
- Meta-analysis
- RCT (Double Blind)
- Prospective Studies
- Retrospective Case Control Studies
|
| Diagnosis |
- Controlled Trial
- Cross Sectional
|
| Prognosis |
- Cohort Studies
- Case Control
- Case Series, Retrospective
|
| Aetiology/Harm |
- RCT
- Cohort Studies
- Retrospective Case Control Studies
- Case Reports
|
Prevention |
|
Quality Improvement |
|
| 
