Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Handsearching in its linguistic area is a core function of Cochrane Centres (CCT). Since 2012, use of the CRS software has been mandatory for uploading handsearch study references into the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL).
Objective: To describe the experience of using CRS for handsearching at the Brazilian Cochrane Centre, issues encountered and useful tips for future users.
Experience and useful tips:
1. Learning how to use CRS for the handsearch: The best information resource for all CRS users is the CRS Portal, which provides access to the software, its user guide, and all updates and plugins.
2. Reference Manager and CRS software: Before using CRS, our register of handsearched studies was stored in Reference Manager software (RMS). After importing it to CRS, new references could be directly inserted into CRS avoiding the need for the RMS. However, we decided to keep the RMS register and continue exporting references to CRS because, to date, there are no logs of the references sent to the Handsearch Group (HG). Our contact with the CRS support team led to the addition of the log feature to the list of projects for future improvement of the software.
3. CENTRAL versus Handsearch Group: Handsearch references within CRS can either be sent directly to CENTRAL or to the HG. The latter receives and redirects study references found out of scope of the group that handsearched them to the suitable Cochrane Review Group (CRG) or to CENTRAL. Since CCT handsearching for studies in their linguistic area will eventually locate studies in the scope of the CRGs, we decided to send all of our records to the HG. Nevertheless, this was our individual decision and we would like Cochrane to analyse this issue and make a statement about it.
Conclusions: We suggest that: new CRS users should start their learning process in the CRS Portal; if RMS is already in use for storing handsearched references, this process should not be avoided by directly inserting them into CRS; the new CRS require development of a policy by Cochrane to guide the handsearching conducted by CCT.
Objective: To describe the experience of using CRS for handsearching at the Brazilian Cochrane Centre, issues encountered and useful tips for future users.
Experience and useful tips:
1. Learning how to use CRS for the handsearch: The best information resource for all CRS users is the CRS Portal, which provides access to the software, its user guide, and all updates and plugins.
2. Reference Manager and CRS software: Before using CRS, our register of handsearched studies was stored in Reference Manager software (RMS). After importing it to CRS, new references could be directly inserted into CRS avoiding the need for the RMS. However, we decided to keep the RMS register and continue exporting references to CRS because, to date, there are no logs of the references sent to the Handsearch Group (HG). Our contact with the CRS support team led to the addition of the log feature to the list of projects for future improvement of the software.
3. CENTRAL versus Handsearch Group: Handsearch references within CRS can either be sent directly to CENTRAL or to the HG. The latter receives and redirects study references found out of scope of the group that handsearched them to the suitable Cochrane Review Group (CRG) or to CENTRAL. Since CCT handsearching for studies in their linguistic area will eventually locate studies in the scope of the CRGs, we decided to send all of our records to the HG. Nevertheless, this was our individual decision and we would like Cochrane to analyse this issue and make a statement about it.
Conclusions: We suggest that: new CRS users should start their learning process in the CRS Portal; if RMS is already in use for storing handsearched references, this process should not be avoided by directly inserting them into CRS; the new CRS require development of a policy by Cochrane to guide the handsearching conducted by CCT.