The Basics of Building a Systematic review search

TL;DR

Learn how to approach a systematic review search and develop a comprehensive search strategy using PubMed.

Transcript

Thanks everyone for joining us! This is the second webinar in our summer library series on systematic searching. The title of today's webinar is, "The Basics of Building a Systematic Review Search". My name is Rosie Hanneke, I am the Librarian for Public Health at the UIC Library of the Health Sciences, and my co-presenter today is Amelia Brunskill... Read More

Key Insights

• 😓 A systematic review search aims to cast a wide net and retrieve all available evidence on a topic.
• 👨‍🔬 Precision and recall are important considerations in systematic review searches, with recall being a priority to ensure comprehensive results.
• 👨‍🔬 Tools such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and citation tracing can assist with developing a comprehensive search strategy.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the difference between a systematic review and a normal literature review?

In a normal literature review, the search is precise, using specific terms and searching for exactly what is being sought. In a systematic review, the search is more comprehensive and broad, casting a wide net to find all available evidence on a topic.

Q: How should I prioritize precision and recall in a systematic review search?

In a systematic review, it is important to prioritize recall, which means capturing as much relevant evidence as possible. Precision refers to the ratio of relevant articles out of all the search results, and while it is ideal to have high precision, it is expected to have a low average precision in systematic reviews.

Q: Are there tools available to help with systematic review search strategies?

Yes, there are several tools available. Some recommended tools include PubReMiner, Yale MeSH Analyzer, SR-Accelerator, Publish or Perish, and Systematic Reviews Toolbox. These tools can assist with MeSH term analysis, search translation, and search filtering.

Q: How many results are considered too many in a systematic review search?

The number of results depends on the specific topic and research question. However, as a general guideline, a systematic review search can yield anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of results. It is important to carefully screen and select relevant studies based on inclusion criteria.

Key Insights:

• A systematic review search aims to cast a wide net and retrieve all available evidence on a topic.
• Precision and recall are important considerations in systematic review searches, with recall being a priority to ensure comprehensive results.
• Tools such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and citation tracing can assist with developing a comprehensive search strategy.
• Evaluating and refining the search strategy is crucial to ensure relevant studies are included in the systematic review.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• This webinar focuses on the principles of systematic review search and how to develop a search strategy using PubMed.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of casting a wide net to find all available evidence on a topic.

• Tools such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and citation tracing are discussed as essential resources for conducting a systematic review.