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STANDARD 3.1
Conduct a comprehensive systematic search for evidence
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| 3.1.1 |
Work with a librarian or other information specialist trained in performing systematic reviews to plan the search strategy |
| 3.1.2 |
Design the search strategy to address each key research question |
| 3.1.3 |
Use an independent librarian or other information specialist to peer review the search strategy |
| 3.1.4 |
Search bibliographic databases |
| 3.1.5 |
Search citation indexes |
| 3.1.6 |
Search literature cited by eligible studies |
| 3.1.7 |
Update the search at intervals appropriate to the pace of generation of new information for the research question being addressed |
| 3.1.8 |
Search subject-specific databases if other databases are unlikely to provide all relevant evidence |
| 3.1.9 |
Search regional bibliographic databases if other databases are unlikely to provide all relevant evidence |
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STANDARD 3.2
Take action to address potentially biased reporting of research results
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| 3.2.1 |
Search grey literature databases, clinical trial registries, and other sources of unpublished information about studies |
| 3.2.2 |
Invite researchers to clarify information about study eligibility, study characteristics, and risk of bias |
| 3.2.3 |
Invite all study sponsors and researchers to submit unpublished data, including unreported outcomes, for possible inclusion in the systematic review |
| 3.2.4 |
Handsearch selected journals and conference abstracts |
| 3.2.5 |
Conduct a web search |
| 3.2.6 |
Search for studies reported in languages other than English if appropriate |
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STANDARD 3.3
Screen and select studies
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| 3.3.1 |
Include or exclude studies based on the protocol’s prespecified criteria |
| 3.3.2 |
Use observational studies in addition to randomized clinical trials to evaluate harms of interventions |
| 3.3.3 |
Use two or more members of the review team, working independently, to screen and select studies |
| 3.3.4 |
Train screeners using written documentation; test and retest screeners to improve accuracy and consistency |
| 3.3.5 |
Use one of two strategies to select studies:
(1) read all full-text articles identified in the search or (2) screen titles and abstracts of all articles and then read the full text of articles identified in initial screening |
| 3.3.6 |
Taking account of the risk of bias, consider using observational studies to address gaps in the evidence from randomized clinical trials on the benefits of interventions |