The list of fields marks which of the fields in the database are searchable. In each case a drop down menu will give you the options. For example if you want to view all studies of interventions where the main outcome concerns children's behaviour:

• Click on the arrow next to the caption Main outcome category and a list appears;
• Choose Child Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties;
• Click on the Search key.

You will then get a list of all those studies of interventions where the reported outcomes concerned aspects of behavioural and emotional difficulties in children. If you want to narrow your search to UK studies only, click on the arrow next to Country and then click UK.

The text search option

There is also an option to insert any text you want and search either the Author and Study fields, or the whole database. Click the button under the text search box to choose one of these options and then type in the text you are looking for in the box.

For example if you are looking for a study by "Smith":

• Click on the button next to Only in Authors and Study fields;
• Type "Smith" in the text box;
• Click on the Search button.

You will then be presented with a list of every study in which the word "Smith" appears in the author or study field.

If you are looking for the term "group work":

• Click the button next to In all fields;
• Type "group work" in the text box;
• Click on the Search button.

You will then be presented with a list of all studies in which the term "group work" appear in any of the fields.

You can use the text search combined with the drop-down menus. For example, if you want to find studies by "Smith" of programmes conducted in the UK:

• Click the button next to Only in Authors and Study fields;
• Type "Smith" in the text box;
• Click on the Country box;
• Click on UK;
• Click the Search button.

You will then get a list of all references written by authors called "Smith" of studies conducted in the UK.

Marking selected studies

Once you have searched, you will be presented with all the studies which meet the search criteria. You are then given an option to mark each one by clicking in the box on the left.

When you have marked all the studies that you would like to view, you can click the View all checked button at the bottom, and your choices will be displayed in full. (Alternatively, you can click on any one of the studies and the full details of that study will be revealed).