Mar 8Member-onlyIterative Systematic Reviewing: From a Targeted Search to Labelling and Minimalistic Data ExtractionIt is always recommended to start a systematic review by writing a protocol for a research question. If you are dealing with a broad topic with many research questions and gaps, we recommend scoping reviews, which are again based on preset protocols. Sometimes, a scoping review also works as a…Systematic Review5 min readSystematic Review5 min read
Feb 22Member-onlyShould I have a Wikipedia Page about Myself? Tech-Generated FameI receive the above email at my University of Cambridge email address that apparently, I have achievements, I should be famous, and I deserve a Wikipedia page! Then I will appear on top of search results with a photo. What an honour!!! The question I have here is why such…Wikipedia7 min readWikipedia7 min read
Jan 30Member-onlyNeed Help with Including Non-English Language (NEL) Studies in Systematic Reviews?Note: In the Systematic Review context, Americans use Data Abstraction instead of Data Extraction. In Scoping Review context, it may be called Data Charting; however, Social and Health Scientists sometimes use Data Extraction and Data Charting interchangeably. I’m not going to discuss why it is important to include Non-English Language…Medical Translation9 min readMedical Translation9 min read
Dec 1, 2022Member-onlyIn Black Box We Trust: Machine Learning-Based Record Screening for Systematic ReviewsI had an amazing two days at Search Solutions 2022 with a lot of lively discussions, and thrown, hit and missed punches :D I don’t miss Search Solutions, the only conference I attend every year. I’m not going to keep you waiting, I’m going straight to the point. It is…Machine Learning8 min readMachine Learning8 min read
Sep 12, 2022Member-onlyWhy EndNote cannot find some of the duplicate titles? Can Automation or EndNote help?Currently, there is no way to identify 100% of duplicate records in EndNote during a systematic review. Do we need to identify and remove 100% of the duplicates? If yes, does it worth it? If No, why bother reading this post :D Anyway, if you have ever been questioned by…Duplicate8 min readDuplicate8 min read
Aug 1, 2022Member-onlyNow that CENTRAL indexes clinical trials registry records, should I still search ClinicalTrials.gov?Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) is an ongoing dream for systematic reviewers interested in finding all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in one place. A one-stop-shop. As part of the efforts to be as inclusive as possible, CENTRAL started including records of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from other sources…Systematic Review5 min readSystematic Review5 min read
Jul 25, 2022Member-onlyGail Higgins: Remembering a Senior Cochrane Information SpecialistI was saddened to hear one of the best information specialists, Gail Higgins, passed away. I was absolutely gutted by the news, and it took me time to settle and start writing. Our community lost a valuable and caring member. I won’t forget her kind-heartedness and professionalism. While I had…Obituary5 min readObituary5 min read
Jul 18, 2022Member-onlyDo we need to search Web of Science citation indexes for systematic reviews?Before you judge, I am not sure if the plural form is citation indices or citation indexes, so if you have studied English, Help! …Web Of Science5 min readWeb Of Science5 min read
Jul 13, 2022Member-onlySearch Filters: What's wrong or right with using them in systematic reviews?Search filters (Hedges) are search strategies that have somehow been tested or studied to be a good way of finding records relevant to a concept (i.e. an illness, an intervention, a study design, an age group, etc.). …Search Strategy7 min readSearch Strategy7 min read
Jul 11, 2022Member-onlyStop searching, and you will find it: Search-Resistant Concepts in Systematic SearchingNot only might you have heard of this statement, but you have also experienced it. When something is lost, and you concentrate on finding it, it hides away, and you cannot find it. It is not found until you stop searching for it, and it will appear in front of…Systematic Review7 min readSystematic Review7 min read
