Project Methodology
Search Strategy
We use three methods to systematically search the published review literature (unpublished grey literature is not searched systematically at this time due to resource restrictions):
Searches are updated quarterly. To date, over 1,000,000 titles have been screened.
Electronic search strategy:
We search seven bibliographic databases:
- MEDLINE
- EMBASE
- CINAHL
- PsycINFO
- BIOSIS
- SportDISCUS
- Sociological Abstracts
All databases have been searched from 1985 to present. For MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO, we have developed methodological search filters/hedges to retrieve systematic reviews, meta-analyses and metasyntheses that evaluate the effectiveness of public health interventions.
Handsearch strategy:
We search 46 public health and health promotion journals. The list of journals, developed in collaboration with experts in the fields of public health and health promotion, is updated annually. Additions to the list are assessed by searching the most recent five years of a journal. If more than one relevant review is found, that journal is added to the handsearch list.
Reference list search strategy:
We search the reference lists of all published reviews identified as relevant.
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