Semi-automating the manual literature search for systematic reviews increases efficiency.
BACKGROUND
To minimise retrieval bias, manual literature searches are a key part of the search process of any systematic review. Considering the need to have accurate information, valid results of the manual literature search are essential to ensure scientific standards; likewise efficient approaches that minimise the amount of personnel time required to conduct a manual literature search are of great interest.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this project was to determine the validity and efficiency of a new manual search method that utilises the scopus database.


METHODS
We used the traditional manual search approach as the gold standard to determine the validity and efficiency of the proposed scopus method. Outcome measures included completeness of article detection and personnel time involved. Using both methods independently, we compared the results based on accuracy of the results, validity and time spent conducting the search, efficiency.


RESULTS
Regarding accuracy, the scopus method identified the same studies as the traditional approach indicating its validity. In terms of efficiency, using scopus led to a time saving of 62.5% compared with the traditional approach (3 h versus 8 h).


CONCLUSIONS
The scopus method can significantly improve the efficiency of manual searches and thus of systematic reviews.
Chapman
Andrea L
AL
Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Danube University Krems, Krems, Austria. andrea.chapman@donau-uni.ac.at
Morgan
Laura C
LC
Gartlehner
Gerald
G
D022126:Access to Information; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004526:Efficiency; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D008490:Medical Informatics; D012196:Review Literature as Topic