Your privacy, your choice

We use essential cookies to make sure the site can function. We also use optional cookies for advertising, personalisation of content, usage analysis, and social media.

By accepting optional cookies, you consent to the processing of your personal data - including transfers to third parties. Some third parties are outside of the European Economic Area, with varying standards of data protection.

See our privacy policy for more information on the use of your personal data.

for further information and to change your choices.
Skip to main content

Table 2 Rapid review methods reported by the survey participants

From: Current methods for development of rapid reviews about diagnostic tests: an international survey

Method

N (%)

Narrow the scope

 Defining a structured PICO question

23 (92)

 Discussing the clinical pathway for the target condition a

17 (68)

 Limiting the population b

17 (68)

 Limiting the number of index tests c

19 (76)

 Limiting the number of comparisons d

14 (56)

 Limiting the number of outcomes e

11 (44)

 Limiting the number of applications of the tests f

20 (80)

Review shortcuts

 Using a previous review as a starting point g

23 (92)

 Limiting search strategies to one database

2 (8)

 Limiting search strategies by language

21 (84)

 Limiting search strategies by date

17 (68)

 Limiting the syntax of search strategies h

8 (32)

 Limiting search strategies results using methodological filters

14 (56)

 Excluding additional searches i

22 (88)

 Limiting screening of titles & abstracts: one reviewer only

12 (48)

 Limiting the selection of full texts: one reviewer only

15 (60)

 Limiting the data abstraction: one reviewer only

16 (64)

 Limiting the quality appraisal: one reviewer only

10 (40)

 Performing a narrative synthesis of findings j

19 (76)

 Excluding a GRADE assessment of findings

15 (60)

Parallelization of tasks

 Multiple reviewers completing the eligibility screening

8 (32)

 Multiple reviewers completing the data abstraction

7 (28)

 Multiple reviewers completing the quality appraisal

8 (32)

Automation

 Used to assist in the screening/selection of references

3 (12)

 Used to assist in the data abstraction

2 (8)

 Used to assist in the quality appraisal

1 (4)

  1. Notes: a including the role of the test in the current clinical practice, its intended application, and prior/alternative tests; b ideally to one single population; c ideally to one single test; d ideally to one single comparison; e ideally to one single outcome; f ideally to one single application: i.e. monitoring, screening, diagnosis; g i.e. stepwise approach with an emphasis on higher levels of evidence, update of existing SR, re-run search strategies; h, e.g. focused subject headings, terms in title only; i, e.g. conference abstracts; search on the internet; j instead of a meta-analysis of data
Back to article page

BMC Medical Research Methodology

ISSN: 1471-2288

Contact us