Article type
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Abstract
Introduction: Groups from McMaster and Leeds Universities have been working together for almost five years to compile a database of randomized controlled trials of treatment of sub-fertility. This work forms the nucleus of an editorial module within the Cochrane Collaboration.
Objective: a) To identify all randomized controlled trials relevant to sub-fertility; b) to compile structured overviews of studies addressing important clinical questions. This process allows us to highlight what is and is not known about treatment effectiveness and to provide the most accurate estimates of effect size from the available data.
Methods: Our comprehensive strategy for trial identification has included a hand-search of 41 core journals from 1960 to the present, along with online searching and direct contact with authors. Treatment effectiveness questions have been defined and refined, trial inclusion and exclusion criteria developed, and data extracted according to formalized protocols. Where appropriate, results across studies have been pooled to provide estimates of effect size. Over 300 trials have so far been identified and five major overviews have been published. The complete database of trials and overviews should be published on disc through Cochrane Collaboration by January of 1995. The nature and results of our work within the sub-fertility module will be presented.
Objective: a) To identify all randomized controlled trials relevant to sub-fertility; b) to compile structured overviews of studies addressing important clinical questions. This process allows us to highlight what is and is not known about treatment effectiveness and to provide the most accurate estimates of effect size from the available data.
Methods: Our comprehensive strategy for trial identification has included a hand-search of 41 core journals from 1960 to the present, along with online searching and direct contact with authors. Treatment effectiveness questions have been defined and refined, trial inclusion and exclusion criteria developed, and data extracted according to formalized protocols. Where appropriate, results across studies have been pooled to provide estimates of effect size. Over 300 trials have so far been identified and five major overviews have been published. The complete database of trials and overviews should be published on disc through Cochrane Collaboration by January of 1995. The nature and results of our work within the sub-fertility module will be presented.