Optimal database combinations for literature searches in systematic reviews: a prospective exploratory study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Within systematic reviews, when searching for relevant references, it is advisable to use multiple databases. However, searching databases is laborious and time-consuming, as syntax of search strategies are database specific. We aimed to determine the optimal combination of databases needed to conduct efficient searches in systematic reviews and whether the current practice in published reviews is appropriate. While previous studies determined the coverage of databases, we analyzed the actual retrieval from the original searches for systematic reviews.

Methods

Since May 2013, the first author prospectively recorded results from systematic review searches that he performed at his institution. PubMed was used to identify systematic reviews published using our search

SUBMITTER: Bramer WM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5718002 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature