It depends on what you're actually searching. Usually the best approach is to use Advanced XML and the HiddenPostProcess module.
This lets you create one master search with HiddenSearch , then below that define HiddenPostProcess searches which narrow the results down.
This should help get you started:
http://www.splunk.com/base/Documentation/4.1.6/Developer/PostProcess
If you need more examples, there's at least one in the UI Examples app on SplunkBase. It's also used in the OSSEC app, among others.
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