Search methods for prognostic factor systematic reviews: a methodologic investigation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study retroactively investigated the search used in a 2019 review by Hayden et al., one of the first systematic reviews of prognostic factors that was published in the Cochrane Library. The review was designed to address recognized weaknesses in reviews of prognosis by using multiple supplementary search methods in addition to traditional electronic database searching.

Methods

The authors used four approaches to comprehensively assess aspects of systematic review literature searching for prognostic factor studies: (1) comparison of search recall of broad versus focused electronic search strategies, (2) linking of search methods of origin for eligible studies, (3) analysis of impact of supplementary search methods on meta-analysis conclusions, and (4) analysis

SUBMITTER: Boulos L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7772979 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature