Advanced Search Techniques For Systematic Reviews, Health Technology Assessment and Guideline Development

Extensive literature searches are the foundation of high quality systematic reviews, health technology assessment (HTA), guideline development and other major projects. Conducting searches to retrieve research evidence from databases and other resources requires a range of knowledge and skills. There are constant challenges to keeping up-to-date with new database features and approaches to achieving efficient searches. Search approaches may need to be adapted depending on the end-product which the search is informing and the resources available. Search approaches increasingly need to be explained to sponsors and other end-users in terms of the extent to which they are fit-for-purpose.

This workshop will provide opportunities to learn new techniques, to discuss best approaches, to share insights and to assess variations in current best practice. The workshop will be facilitated by information specialists experienced in literature searching to inform systematic reviews and HTAs and in conducting research into the evidence base for information retrieval. Participants are encouraged to suggest topics / issues in advance for discussion during the workshop.