# Search Term Syntax and Errors

#### Intro

This guide will help you build search queries for all the major databases we offer.

#### PubMed

Reference Link: <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/help/>

#### PubMed Central

[User-guide reference link](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/about/userguide/#search)

#### Cochrane

[CochraneQRG Search syntax.pdf](https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/403a01b1-682f-4f98-a66d-d38465b55214/315823c5-a525-491c-8205-60cf2e3f387f/CochraneQRG_Search_syntax.pdf)

#### [ClinicalTrials.gov](http://ClinicalTrials.gov)

<https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/api/gui/ref/syntax#andExpr>

Notes:

* ( ) not permitted on these.
* AND OR NOT statements permitted


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://citemed-io.gitbook.io/citemed.io-documentation/advanced-topics/search-term-syntax-and-errors.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.