Identification of problems in search strategies in Cochrane Reviews

Research Synthesis Methods
Juan Víctor Ariel FrancoValeria Vietto

Abstract

Search strategies are essential for the adequate retrieval of studies in a systematic review (SR). Our objective was to identify problems in the design and reporting of search strategies in a sample of new Cochrane SRs first published in The Cochrane Library in 2015. We took a random sample of 70 new Cochrane SRs of interventions published in 2015. We evaluated their design and reporting of search strategies using the recommendations from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, the Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews, and the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies evidence-based guideline. Most reviews complied with the reporting standards in the Cochrane Handbook and the Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews; however, 8 SRs did not search trials registers, 3 SRs included language restrictions, and there was inconsistent reporting of contact with individuals and searches of the gray literature. We found problems in the design of the search strategies in 73% of reviews (95% CI, 60-84%) and 53% of these contained problems (95% CI, 38-69%) that could limit both the sensitivity and precision of the search strategies. We found limitations in the design and r...Continue Reading

References

Sep 19, 2006·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·Margaret Sampson, Jessie McGowan
Jan 23, 2009·Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA·Adriana YoshiiKay E Wellik
Feb 24, 2009·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·Margaret SampsonCarol Lefebvre
Sep 30, 2010·PLoS Medicine·Hilda BastianIain Chalmers
Jul 23, 2013·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Konstantinos C SiontisJohn P A Ioannidis
Mar 24, 2016·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·Jessie McGowanCarol Lefebvre

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 26, 2020·Research Synthesis Methods·Daniël A KorevaarPatrick M Bossuyt
Feb 19, 2020·Medical Reference Services Quarterly·Amelia Brunskill
Nov 7, 2019·Diabetic Medicine : a Journal of the British Diabetic Association·C A WilsonL M Howard
Sep 15, 2018·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Maria-Inti Metzendorf, Robin M Featherstone
Nov 9, 2018·Research Synthesis Methods·Carolyn Spry, Monika Mierzwinski-Urban
Dec 5, 2019·Research Integrity and Peer Review·Holly K Grossetta NardiniJanis G Glover
Oct 18, 2019·Systematic Reviews·Ana PenedonesFrancisco Batel Marques
Jan 28, 2021·Systematic Reviews·Melissa L RethlefsenUNKNOWN PRISMA-S Group
Dec 20, 2020·Heart & Lung : the Journal of Critical Care·Janene Batten, Alexandria Brackett
Jul 28, 2020·The Annals of Thoracic Surgery·Mario GaudinoAntonino Di Franco
Apr 5, 2021·Archives of public health = Archives belges de santé publique·Amanda Oliveira LyrioMauricio Gomes Pereira
May 25, 2021·International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care·Carol Lefebvre, Steven Duffy
Mar 14, 2021·Health Information and Libraries Journal·Christine J Neilson

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.