The application of quality filters in searching the clinical literature: some possible heuristics.
Experienced searchers can help their patrons find the "best" by employing any of several techniques which might filter search results. Using a sample search on Alzheimer's Disease, this article describes and illustrates the following five objective indicators which might be considered signs of quality: methodological rigor, document attributes, peer review, journal reputation, and filtering at input. Sample techniques and results are presented for six databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, SAMM, CCML, and JWAT. Understanding of the patron's need and knowledge of the structure and contents of the database will determine when each should be applied to search results.
Johnson
E D
ED
J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library, University of Missouri-Columbia 65212.
McKinin
E J
EJ
Sievert
M
M
D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D003625:Data Collection; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control