Publicationssuch

Publicationssuch refers to the systematic process of finding, identifying, and assessing scholarly publications. It is used by researchers, librarians, and research-support professionals to create thorough and reproducible collections of literature across disciplines. The process typically begins with defining scope and research questions, followed by planning search strategies that combine keywords, controlled vocabularies, and Boolean logic. Researchers select relevant databases and resources such as library catalogs, specialized databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), preprint servers, and institutional repositories, as well as general search engines. Queries are iteratively refined, and results are screened for relevance based on predefined inclusion criteria, then documented with search strings, dates, and sources to ensure reproducibility. The term is a portmanteau that reflects its cross-linguistic usage, combining "publications" with the German word "Such" meaning search.

Key practices include documenting search strategies, using standardized reporting frameworks (e.g., PRISMA in systematic reviews), performing citation chasing, and conducting quality appraisal of sources. The field addresses issues like publication bias, language bias, access limitations, and version control of preprints and retracted articles. Outcomes of publicationssuch include curated bibliographies, literature reviews, evidence maps, and support for research assessments. It overlaps with information retrieval and bibliometrics, and informs open access advocacy and research data governance. Challenges include keeping up with rapid growth in the literature, ensuring reproducibility, managing duplicates, and navigating paywalls and licensing restrictions.