Abstract
Abstract Objectives To compare the effectiveness of two search methods in identifying studies that used the Control Preferences Scale (CPS), a health care decision-making instrument commonly used in clinical settings. Study Design and Setting We searched the literature using two methods: (1) keyword searching using variations of "Control Preferences Scale" and (2) cited reference searching using two seminal CPS publications. We searched three bibliographic databases [PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS)] and one full-text database (Google Scholar). We report precision and sensitivity as measures of effectiveness. Results Keyword searches in bibliographic databases yielded high average precision (90%) but low average sensitivity (16%). PubMed was the most precise, followed closely by Scopus and WOS. The Google Scholar keyword search had low precision (54%) but provided the highest sensitivity (70%). Cited reference searches in all databases yielded moderate sensitivity (45-54%), but precision ranged from 35% to 75% with Scopus being the most precise. Conclusion Cited reference searches were more sensitive than keyword searches, making it a more comprehensive strategy to identify all studies that use a particular instrument. Keyword searches provide a quick way of finding some but not all relevant articles. Goals, time, and resources should dictate the combination of which methods and databases are used.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Article number | 8737 |
Pages (from-to) | 412-417 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of clinical epidemiology |
Volume | 68 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1 2015 |
Keywords
- Information sources
- Instruments
- Meta-analyses
- Methodology
- Search methods
- Systematic reviews
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology