Tools to support searching for evidence syntheses

Searching for evidence syntheses projects can be time consuming. New tools are being
developed to help in many of the processes, but it is difficult to keep up and learn about
new tools. This course will provide an opportunity to learn about new tools to help
across searching such as term finding, deduplication, translation of searches across new
databases and platforms, grey literature searching, and citation chasing.

Resource URL: Pending

Learning Objectives

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to:

• Define searching standards using Cochrane MECIR standards as a checklist
• List tools to help with term finding and translating searches
• Describe options for deduplication
• Describe options and tools for grey literature and citation searching

Agenda

• Introduction (10 minutes)
  • Introductions to participants, instructor and the workshop
  • Reflection exercise
    
• Part 1: Search standards (20 minutes)
  • Mini Lecture on Cochrane MECIR standards
  • Group exercise evaluating a search report with MECIR
  • Class discussion on best practices and software
    
• Part 2: Term finding (30 min)
  • Mini lecture on term finding
  • Individual exercise using 3 tools for term finding
  • Class discussion
    
• [10 min break]
  
• Part 3: Translating and Deduplication (40 min)
  • Mini lecture on options for translating searches and deduplication
  • Case studies in translating searches in group exercise
  • Exercise Try out deduplication options
  • Class discussion in challenges
    
• Part 4: Additional search techniques (50 min)
  • Mini lecture on grey literature, citation chasing, and retractions
  • Group exercise
  • Class discussion on issues with additional searching techniques
    
• Wrap up (10 min)
  • Recap of workshop
  • Feedback and evaluation

MLA CE Credits: 3