Audit a systematic review search
Trace a search from the strategy and database exports to the records selected for screening. Use known eligible records to investigate omissions and document the decisions behind the final count.
Worked decision
Suppose a search retrieves four of five prespecified benchmark articles. Check whether the fifth was indexed on the search date and which concept or limit excluded it. If an overly narrow term caused the omission, revise and rerun the strategy, then save both search histories.
Record your decision
Is the search ready for screening, or does a missed benchmark record warrant revising the strategy? Reconcile the export counts, explain missed records and preserve the exact strategy and run date.
Work through the evidence
- Document a reproducible search run
- Check retrieval of known eligible records
- Compare exact identifiers across two exports
- Map multiple reports to their underlying studies
- Download the search-run log (TXT)
- Read Cochrane’s guidance on finding and selecting studies