Scoping the literature for your research bid Unit 4

This unit builds on the search techniques we looked at in Unit 3 In this unit we will cover: What Methodological filters are How to use Methodological filters Examples of filters Applying filters Brief activity 3

Methodological Filters

A search filter is search strategy that you add on to your existing subject search. The filter attempts to retrieve high-quality studies from your subject search Filters work in one of two ways: –by identifying particular publication types or study designs most likely to answer a question –by isolating subject or free-text terms most likely to be associated with high-quality studies What is a methodological filter?

How do I use a methodological filter? Step One: Carry out a subject search as usual using MeSH terms and/or free text Step Two: Apply any logical limiters such as Year and/or Language Finally: Apply the methodological filter that is appropriate to the type of question you are asking?

An example of a therapy methodological filter Step One: explode Myocardial Infarction/ (9211) AND explode Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/ (4302) = 320 Step Two: Limit by Year>96 and Language=English = 206 Finally: Limit to CLINICAL-TRIAL in the Publication type = 37 Here we have done our subject search in step one, applied some limits in step two and finally added a simple, one-line filter (clinical-trial.pt.) in step three

Types of filter One-line filter Maximum sensitivity filter- aims to find as many relevant papers as possible, but may therefore pick up some non- relevant ones Maximum specificity filter- aims to eliminate as many non- relevant papers as possible, but may therefore miss some relevant ones Mid-range (or optimised) filter- aims to balance out sensitivity and specificity

Some one-line filters Using methodological filters on MEDLINE –e.g. For diagnosis try “Sensitivity” as a text word –e.g. For therapy try “Clinical Trial” in Publication Type –e.g. For prognosis try “cohort-studies” as MeSH –e.g. For (a)etiology try “risk” as a text word NB. MEDLINE is still the No. 1 database for diagnosis, prognosis & (a)etiology searches and Cochrane Library is No. 1 for therapy

A methodological filter for Diagnosis added to a search (lines 4-7 below)

Applications of filters Try adding a “quick one-liner” to a scoping search Or try using the automatic Clinical Queries service to filter your results: –In NHS Evidence –or Pubmed – or

Clinical queries can be used in Healthcare databases Advanced search

Clinical queries can be used in PubMed ( Enter a subject search in the text box and then choose your filter by clicking the buttons below it- easy!

Activity 3 Conduct a search for the topic you have planned in units 1 and 2 on PubMed or Medline and one other database. Add a Methodological filter or Clinical query to your search

And finally... Citations: where will I use them? –Applicants details –Scientific summary –Lay summary –Relevance to funding stream/NHS –Project aims –Background –Project plan and costs –Project management –Research dissemination methods, IP –Ethics

And Finally...(2) What do they add / give to your application? –Lit review indicates the size and nature or problem –Acknowledge previous work –Emphasize currency by pointing to ongoing policy/developments? –Provide evidence of applicants skills and experience –Show that you know your stuff!

Observations from a funding panel References should be properly formatted Don’t cite yourself/your colleagues too much! Demonstrate you have up-to-date knowledge of the research area Don’t ignore similar research studies, cite them but clearly explain how yours is different or put the case for repeating previous research

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