Systematic searching for environmental evidence using multiple tools and sources

Background : This paper provides guidance about how to plan, prepare, conduct, report, amend or update a systematic search. It aims to contribute to a new version of the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE) Guidelines for Systematic Reviews in Environmental Management, and the methods we d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental evidence Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 1 - 14
Main Authors: Livoreil, Barbara, Glanville, Julie, Haddaway, Neal R, Bayliss, Helen, Bethel, Alison, de Lachapelle, FrA~dA~rique Flamerie, Robalino, Shannon, Savilaakso, Sini, Zhou, Wen, Petrokofsky, Gill, Frampton, Geoff
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: BioMed Central Ltd 21-08-2017
BioMed Central
BMC
Subjects:
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Background : This paper provides guidance about how to plan, prepare, conduct, report, amend or update a systematic search. It aims to contribute to a new version of the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE) Guidelines for Systematic Reviews in Environmental Management, and the methods we describe are likely to be broadly applicable across a wider range of topics. In evidence synthesis, searches are expected to be repeatable, fit for purpose, with minimum biases, and to collate a maximum number of relevant articles. Failing to include relevant information in an evidence synthesis may lead to inaccurate or skewed conclusions and/or changes in conclusions as soon as the omitted information is added.Method : The paper takes into account similar documents produced by the Cochrane Collaboration and the Campbell Collaboration, including necessary adjustments for environmental policy and management, and the current version of the CEE Guidelines (version 4.2, 2013). Where possible this guidance is based on evidence from research, and in its absence on expert opinion and experience.Results : Here we aim to provide guidance on the optimal search structure as the basis on which any evidence synthesis should be built.Conclusion : It is aimed at all those who intend to conduct systematic evidence synthesis, including reviews and Ph.D. thesis.
ISSN:2047-2382
2047-2382
DOI:10.1186/s13750-017-0099-6