Objectives: To discuss with other handsearchers the differences and similarities of handsearching online journals compared with handsearching paper journals.
The objectives of the workshop are to:

- collect data regarding the current experience of handsearchers with respect to handsearching online journals;

- determine aspects of handsearching online journals that differ from handsearching paper-based journals;

- initiate discussions as to whether and how the instructions on handsearching in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions should be modified.

Summary: We will ask participants to handsearch an online journal before coming to the workshop and complete a survey describing their experience. In the survey, we will also ask participants to provide details of usual online handsearching activities, and identify perceived advantages and disadvantages of online handsearching compared with handsearching paper-based journals. We will ask workshop participants to note specific methods employed during the online search process. During the workshop, faculty will present the results of the survey and discuss how online searching differs from handsearching paper-based journals, illustrated with specific examples from online journals. Participants will then be divided into small groups (each with a faculty facilitator). Faculty will provide a list of topics specific to online handsearching (based on the survey findings) for further discussion. Each small group will compile a list of guidelines/instructions for possible inclusion in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and present them to the entire group for discussion.

Level of knowledge required to attend: intermediate/advanced.