Abstract
Background: Up-to-date guidance on comprehensive study identification for systematic reviews is crucial. According to current recommendations, systematic searching should combine electronic database searching with supplementary search methods. One such supplementary search method is citation tracking. It aims at collecting directly and/or indirectly cited and citing references from "seed references". Tailored and evidence-guided recommendations concerning the use of citation tracking are strongly needed. Objective: We intend to develop recommendations for the use of citation tracking in systematic literature searching for health-related topics. Our study will be guided by the following research questions: What is the benefit of citation tracking for systematic literature searching for health-related topics? Which methods, citation indexes, and other tools are used for citation tracking? What terminology is used for citation tracking methods? Methods: Our study will have two parts: a scoping review and a Delphi study. The scoping review aims at identifying methodological studies on the benefit and use of citation tracking in systematic literature searching for health-related topics with no restrictions on study design, language, and publication date. We will perform database searching in MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Web of Science Core Collection, two information science databases, web searching, and contact experts in the field. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection. We will conduct direct backward and forward citation tracking on included articles. Data from included studies will be extracted using a prespecified extraction sheet and presented in both tabular and narrative form. The results of the scoping review will inform the subsequent Delphi study through which we aim to derive consensus recommendations for the future practice and research of citation tracking.
Highlights
Up-to-date guidance on comprehensive study identification for systematic reviews is crucial
The aim of our study is to develop recommendations for the use of citation tracking in systematic literature searching for health-related topics
What is the benefit of citation tracking for systematic literature searching for health-related topics?
Summary
Missing pertinent evidence might have an impact on the validity of systematic reviews and, on the quality of health care[40,41]. Authors of systematic reviews should conduct high quality literature searches aiming to detect all relevant evidence. Our study intends to provide literature- and expert-based recommendations on the use of citation tracking for systematic literature searching. Tailored and evidence-based recommendations concerning the use of citation tracking for systematic literature searching may guide future steps in semi-automated and automated literature retrieval methods[43,44]. Data availability Underlying data No underlying data are associated with this article.
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