Objectives:
As part of a programme of work to improve the quality of Cochrane Reviews, the Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) project was established to specify methodological expectations, or standards, for Cochrane Protocols, Reviews and updates of reviews of the effects of interventions, and to ensure that these standards are implemented. Standards have been published for the conduct and reporting of new reviews (http://methods.cochrane.org/standards). Each standard is considered to be either mandatory (compliance required for publication) or highly desirable (expected but may be justifiably not done).

Description:
This workshop will focus on these standards with respect to searching for studies, including an exercise using anonymized examples from a Cochrane Editorial Unit project to screen Cochrane Reviews prior to publication. It will increase awareness amongst participants of the these requirements regarding searching for studies and provide an opportunity for Trials Search Co-ordinators and others responsible for searching for studies to discuss implementation issues such as hints, tips, tools and tricks to aid implementation.

This workshop will consist of: a brief overview of the background to the standards; an overview of the standards specific to searching for studies; and exercises around implementation. The workshop will be interactive with small group and across-group discussion and debate.