Defining the process to literature searching in systematic reviews: a literature review of guidance and supporting studies.

摘要: Systematic literature searching is recognised as a critical component of the systematic review process. It involves search for studies and aims transparent report study identification, leaving readers clear about what was done to identify studies, how findings are situated in relevant evidence. Information specialists teams appear work from shared tacit model How this has developed evolved unclear, it not been explicitly examined before. The purpose determine if process can be detected across guidance documents and, so, reported supported by published studies. A review. Two types were reviewed: Nine identified, including: Cochrane Campbell Handbooks. Published identified through ‘pearl growing’, citation chasing, PubMed using methods filter, authors’ topic knowledge. sections within each document then read re-read, with aim determining key methodological stages. Methodological stages defined. This data reviewed agreements areas unique between documents. Consensus multiple used inform selection ‘key stages’ searching. Eight determined relating specifically reviews. They were: who should search, searching, preparation, strategy, databases, supplementary managing references reporting reviews identified. These consistently nine documents, suggesting consensus on therefore whole, Further research suitability same all indicated.