Evidence Synthesis Methods Interest Group

  • 1.  Databases that work for systematic reviews

    Posted Sep 05, 2023 02:30 PM

    Hi everyone, 

    I remember reading an article that reviewed different databases regarding whether they would work for conducting a systematic review. It included a table outlining characteristics of different databases. Now I can't find it---does anyone know what I'm talking about?

    Thanks,

    Sarah



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    Sarah Dahlen
    Reference and Instruction Librarian
    California State University, Monterey Bay
    She/Her/Hers
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  • 2.  RE: Databases that work for systematic reviews

    Posted Sep 05, 2023 04:53 PM

    Hi Sarah,

    Perhaps it was this 2020 article .....

    Gusenbauer, M., & Haddaway, N. R. (2020). Which academic search systems are suitable for systematic reviews or meta‐analyses? Evaluating retrieval qualities of Google Scholar, PubMed, and 26 other resources. Research synthesis methods, 11(2), 181-217. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jrsm.1378 

    Angie Gerrard



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    Angie Gerrard
    Liaison Librarian
    University of Saskatchewan Library
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  • 3.  RE: Databases that work for systematic reviews

    Posted Sep 06, 2023 11:14 AM

    That is the one I had in mind---thanks, Angie! 

    Re-reading that article (citation below) leads me to other questions. According to their evaluation, both JSTOR and Wiley have controlled vocabulary (table 4). Is that true? Where is it hiding? I can't find it anywhere. Has anyone used either of those databases for a systematic review?

    Gusenbauer, M., & Haddaway, N. R. (2020). Which academic search systems are suitable for systematic reviews or meta‐analyses? Evaluating retrieval qualities of Google Scholar, PubMed, and 26 other resources. Research synthesis methods, 11(2), 181-217. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jrsm.1378 



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    Sarah Dahlen
    Reference and Instruction Librarian
    California State University, Monterey Bay
    She/Her/Hers
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Databases that work for systematic reviews

    Posted Sep 08, 2023 08:56 AM
    Edited by Casey Roberson Sep 08, 2023 12:40 PM

    Sarah - 

    I would have to disagree with the article's claim that ScienceDirect could be considered a principal database for systematic reviews. The last time I was constructing systematic search strings--about 2 years ago--ScienceDirect only allowed 8 Boolean operators total in a search. Theoretically this could work in some searches, but certainly not all.

    Casey Roberson

    Research and Instruction Librarian

    Owen D. Young Library, St. Lawrence University

    he/him





    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Databases that work for systematic reviews

    Posted Sep 12, 2023 11:29 AM

    To follow up on this thread, for anyone who's interested: I emailed Michael Gusenbauer, one of the authors of the article, and he directed me to a tool they've created that allows you to search for databases with certain features. Searchsmart.org is free to use, kept up to date, and allows you to search for databases with different subject coverage and search features, such as controlled vocabulary.  It looks pretty handy! 

    And, apropos of my original email, it does not list JSTOR or Wiley as having controlled vocabulary. 



    ------------------------------
    Sarah Dahlen
    Reference and Instruction Librarian
    California State University, Monterey Bay
    She/Her/Hers
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Databases that work for systematic reviews

    Posted Sep 06, 2023 10:54 AM

    Hi, Sarah.

    I don't...but if you find it, I'd love to see it!

    Best,

    Anita

     

    Anita Kuiken, MSLIS, AHIP (queue-ken)
    (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
    Librarian for Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics
    Research Impact Team
    Syracuse University Libraries

    O 315-443-9766
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    Need help with research? Find library content from these research guides in the areas I support: Exercise Science | Food Studies | Human Development & Family Science | Marriage & Family Therapy | Nutrition Science & Dietetics | Public Health | Social Work | Sport Management | Aging Studies l Stabler Running Collection

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  • 7.  RE: Databases that work for systematic reviews

    Posted Sep 06, 2023 02:32 PM
    Sarah, I wonder if you're thinking about Zahra Premji's lovely database syntax guide? See:

    Zahra and I are maintaining a similar guide for preprint servers and aggregators if that is of interest to you.

    --

    Amy Riegelman (she, her, hers)
    Social Sciences & Evidence Synthesis Librarian
    University of Minnesota






  • 8.  RE: Databases that work for systematic reviews

    Posted Sep 06, 2023 06:41 PM

    Thanks for sharing, Amy! That wasn't the one I was thinking of, but I love it---super useful. 



    ------------------------------
    Sarah Dahlen
    Reference and Instruction Librarian
    California State University, Monterey Bay
    She/Her/Hers
    ------------------------------

    Original Message