Validated geographic search filters for bibliographic databases: a scoping review protocol

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this scoping review is to identify validated geographic search filters and report their methodology and performance measures. Introduction: Data on specific geographic areas can be required for evidence syntheses topics, such as the investigation of regional inequalities in health care or to answer context-specific epidemiological questions. Search filters are useful tools for reviewers aiming to identify publications with common characteristics in bibliographic databases. Geographic search filters limit the literature search results to a specific geographic feature (eg, a country or region). Inclusion criteria: We will include reports on validated geographic search filters that aim to identify research evidence about a defined geographic area (eg, a country/region or a group of countries/regions). Reports published in any language will be considered for inclusion. Methods: This review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The literature search will be conducted in PubMed and Embase (Elsevier). The InterTASC Information Specialists’ Sub-Group (ISSG) Search Filter resource and Google Scholar will also be searched. Two researchers will independently screen the title, abstract, and full text of the search results. A third reviewer will be consulted in the event of any disagreements. The data extraction will include study characteristics, basic characteristics of the geographical search filter (eg, country/region), and the methods used to develop and validate the search filter. The extracted data will be summarized narratively and presented in a table. Review registration: Open Science Framework osf.io/5czhs