Article
Validated geographic search filters for bibliographic databases: a scoping review
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Authors
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Catharina Münte
- Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Institute for Health Services and Health System Research, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Deutschland; Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Center for Health Services Research, Deutschland
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Alexander Pachanov
- Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Institute for Health Services and Health System Research, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Deutschland; Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Center for Health Services Research, Deutschland
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Julian Hirt
- University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Pragmatic Evidence Lab, Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), Basel, Schweiz; Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Nursing Science, Department of Health, Schweiz
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Lynda Ayiku
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Information Services, Großbritannien
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Dawid Pieper
- Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Institute for Health Services and Health System Research, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Deutschland; Brandenburg Medical School (Theodor Fontane), Center for Health Services Research, Deutschland
| Published: | March 12, 2024 |
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Outline
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Background/research question: The number of scientific publications has considerably increased. Measures to limit the search and screening effort can be helpful to increase the efficiency of preparing systematic reviews. Search filters are useful tools for reviewers who want to identify reports with a common characteristic in bibliographic databases. Geographic search filters limit literature search results to a specific geographic characteristic (e.g. a country or region). Searching the literature using geographic filters can, for example, be useful to provide an overview of cultural, epidemiological, or health economics aspects or to indicate inequalities in health care in a certain region. Our aim was to identify validated geographic search filters and report on their development and performance measures.
Methods: We conducted a scoping review of validation studies for search filters targeting publications from specific geographic areas, such as individual countries/regions or groups of countries/regions. The literature search took place in August 2023 and was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, InterTASC Information Specialists' Sub-Group (ISSG), and Google Scholar. No language or publication date restrictions were applied. The selection process was independently conducted by two reviewers (AP and CM), encompassing both abstract and full-text screening, facilitated through the Rayyan App. Data extraction was carried out independently by two reviewers (CM and AP), compared afterwards and synthesised narratively. Among others, sensitivity was extracted to assess the search filter performance.
Results: Of 873 records screened, nine reports were included in the study. The nine reports addressed six search filters for the following geographical regions: Spain, the African continent, the United Kingdom, OECD countries, the United States, and publications from German-speaking countries in high ranking nursing journals. The methods used for developing geographic search filters are highly heterogeneous, as are the performance indicators. The sensitivity of the search filters covers the wide range from 73% to 100%.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the availability of validated geographic search filters is limited. The identified search filters may serve as inspiration for the development of search filters for other countries or geographic regions.
Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
