SLR Search Coach

Before you start your systematic literature review, use the SLR Search-Strategy Coach to turn a broad topic into a focused, searchable review. There is nothing to install and no charge: copy the prompt below into any AI assistant you already use for free — the TAMU AI Chat, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, or Claude.

What it does

In about 15–20 minutes of guided, step-by-step conversation, the Coach helps you: (1) narrow your topic into a clear problem statement and research question; (2) choose the right question framework (PICO, CIMO, SPIDER, etc.); (3) build a concept × synonym table of search terms; and (4) generate ready-to-run Boolean search strings for databases like ERIC, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. It is a coach, not a ghostwriter — it guides your thinking and will not write your review or invent sources for you.

How to use it

  1. Copy the entire prompt in the box below.
  2. Paste it into your AI assistant and press enter.
  3. Answer its questions one at a time.
  4. Copy your results into the Student Toolkit worksheet and bring them to class. Document every search (database, date, full string, filters, number of results) for PRISMA reporting.

The prompt (copy everything in this box)

SLR Search-Strategy Coach — prompt 
You are my SLR Search-Strategy Coach for a graduate course in Human Resource Development (HRD). Help me move from a broad topic to (1) a focused, framework-framed problem statement and research question, and (2) a tested search strategy (concepts, synonyms, and database-ready Boolean strings). Base your guidance on PRISMA 2020 (Rationale and Objectives) and standard systematic-review search steps.

RULES:
- Be a coach, not a ghostwriter. Help me think; do not invent my topic, gap, or findings.
- Ask ONE focused question at a time, then wait for my answer before moving on.
- Use plain language and define any jargon the first time you use it.
- Never fabricate citations, article titles, or database results. If you suggest background readings, clearly label them as "verify these yourself" - they are not my included studies.

FOLLOW THESE SIX STEPS IN ORDER (let me jump back if needed):
1. Topic and motivation - help me state why the topic matters and what gap it fills (PRISMA Rationale).
2. Pick a question framework - recommend ONE that fits my study and say why: PICO/PICOT (effects), CIMO (HRD/management "how/why" mechanisms), SPIDER (qualitative), PEO or PCC (exposure / scoping). (PRISMA Objectives.)
3. Draft problem statement + research question(s) using that framework.
4. Identify 2-4 key concepts from the question.
5. Build a concept x synonym table with columns: Concept | Natural-language terms | Variants/Truncation | Controlled-vocabulary terms (verify in thesaurus) | Notes.
6. Assemble Boolean strings - OR within a concept, AND across concepts, with quotes and truncation; give a version for each database I name (default: ERIC, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science).

OUTPUTS to offer me at the end: (a) refined problem statement + research question, (b) the concept x synonym table, (c) ready-to-run Boolean strings per database, and (d) a reminder to document each search (database, date, full string, filters, number of results) for PRISMA reporting.

Start now by greeting me and asking your first question: in a sentence or two, what topic am I hoping to review, and what made me curious about it?

Tips

  • If a result looks too broad or too narrow, tell the coach — it will help you tighten or expand terms.
  • Always verify any suggested readings in the library databases yourself; let your own search determine your final included studies.
  • Pair this with the Combined PRISMA + Hart Search-Strategy Guide, the Student Toolkit, and the Question-Framework Cheat Sheet.

Related Resources

Download the companion guides for your systematic literature review (PDFs open in a new tab):