Work

A Novel Search Builder to Expedite Search Strategies for Systematic Reviews

Year: 2015

Type: review

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Developing a search strategy for use in a systematic review is a time-consuming process requiring construction of detailed search strings using complicated syntax, followed by iterative fine-tuning and trial-and-error testing of these strings in online biomedical search engines. METHODS: Building upon limitations of existing online-only search builders, a user-friendly computer-based tool was created to expedite search strategy development as part of production of a systematic review. RESULTS: Search Builder 1.0 is a Microsoft Excel®-based tool that automatically assembles search strategy text strings for PubMed (www.pubmed.com) and Embase (www.embase.com), based on a list of user-defined search terms and preferences. With the click of a button, Search Builder 1.0 automatically populates the syntax needed for functional search strings, and copies the string to the clipboard for pasting into Pubmed or Embase. The offline file-based interface of Search Builder 1.0 also allows for searches to be easily shared and saved for future reference. CONCLUSIONS: This novel, user-friendly tool can save considerable time and streamline a cumbersome step in the systematic review process.

Source: International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care

DOI: 10.1017/s0266462315000136

Authors: Biren B. Kamdar, Pooja A. Shah, Sruthi Sakamuri, Bharat S. Kamdar, Jiwon Oh

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, San Francisco, University of Vermont, Johns Hopkins University

Language: English

Topic: Meta-analysis and systematic reviews

Subfield: Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

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