Objective:
1. Provide handsearchers with the knowledge, skills and tools that they will need to successfully identify and classify study reports as either randomized controlled trials (RCT) or controlled clinical trials (CCT).
2. Demonstrate differences and similarities of handsearching electronic journals compared with handsearching paper journals.
Description:
To identify all potentially eligible studies for systematic reviews, it is necessary to handsearch journals, conference proceedings, and other sources to identify reports of controlled clinical trials. Learning to differentiate RCTs, CCTs, and non-trials in published reports and abstracts is not always easy. This handsearch training workshop will first review the criteria for RCTs and CCTs, then use MEDLINE abstracts of trial and non-trial reports to demonstrate areas where there is confusion about study design classification.
Handsearching paper journals or conference proceedings involves a manual page-by-page inspection while the handsearcher applies the trial classification criteria. Handsearchers must use additional skills while "handsearching" electronic text. The workshop will then demonstrate various methods used for optimal "handsearching" of electronic journals and conference proceedings. Workshop participants will be encouraged to discuss their experience in handsearching electronic media, emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages of various methods.
Style of workshop:
Didactic session, demonstration, group discussion