Data Collection
Discover Data Collection Skills and Techniques for Scientific Research Projects
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
— Albert Einstein
Data collection is a vital stage of review as it summarizes the research question, eligibility criteria, and evidence collected for critical appraisal.
During the review process, Covidence is used as a review tool to screen and record data provenance and decisions made which are reflected on the PRISMA diagram. The evidence for inclusion is collected and used for scoping or narrative reviews or critically appraised further for systematic reviews.
Use an effective Screening Tool – Covidence
Set up a Covidence account
Covidence is an online platform designed to streamline the systematic review process, including the screening stage.
Watch this video to learn more about Covidence and how to get started by setting up your free Covidence account.
Import references
Watch this video to learn how to use suitable file formats and import references from a reference manager (EndNote) to Covidence to commence the screening stage.
Title/Abstract Screening
Watch this video to learn how Covidence provides a user-friendly interface where reviewers can quickly assess each study’s relevance and make decisions on whether to include or exclude it from further consideration.
Full Text Screening
Watch this video to learn how studies that pass the title and abstract screening stage move on to full-text screening and how reviewers communicate with each other within the platform to discuss any discrepancies or uncertainties regarding study eligibility.
Examples of Library Research Studies
Student Led Book Clubs to Promote Dialogic Discourse on Children’s Health Literature
Transforming Information Literacy Learning using Chatbot Technologies
“When in doubt, refer to the Cochrane Training Guidelines.”
– Annoymus
INCLUSION / EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR REVIEW
After executing the search strategy, you will need to screen the search results based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This typically involves two stages: title/abstract screening followed by full-text screening. Each stage is conducted by at least two independent reviewers to minimize bias.
Here are some references for further reading:
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria in research studies: definitions and why they matter (PubMed)
- Cochrane: Defining the criteria for including studies (Chapter 3 of the Cochrane Handbook provides advice on selecting inclusion and exclusion criteria)
- JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (Provides guidance to authors for the conduct and preparation of JBI systematic reviews and evidence syntheses.)
Don’t forget to report your PRISMA diagram!
PRISMA maps out the number of records identified, included and excluded, and the reasons for exclusions – Refer to Cochrane: Documenting the search process and reporting the search results
Example of PRISMA diagram
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Database Search Translation
Data Collection
Data Appraisal
Data Extraction
Developed by Senior Medical Librarian, Ms Rebecca David