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Table 5 Performance of qualitative filters

From: Searching for qualitative research for inclusion in systematic reviews: a structured methodological review

Database

Filter type

Filter terms

Sensitivity

Specificity

MEDLINE [PubMed]a [25]

Maximises sensitivity

interview*[Title/Abstract] OR psychology[Subheading:noexp] OR health services administration [MeSH Term]

95

70

Maximises specificity

Qualitative[Title/Abstract] OR Themes[Title/Abstract]

61

99

Best balance of sensitivity and specificity

interview*[Title/Abstract] OR

interviews[MeSH:noexp] OR

experience*[Text Word] OR

qualitative[Title/Abstract]

92

92

EMBASE [Ovid, 23]

Maximises sensitivity

interview:.tw. OR qualitative.tw.

OR exp health care organisation

94

90

Maximises specificity

qualitative.tw. OR qualitative study.tw.

57

100

Best balance of sensitivity and specificity

interview:.tw. OR exp health care organisation OR experiences.tw.

90

90

PsycINFO [Ovid, 19]

Maximises sensitivity

experience:.mp. OR interview:.tw.

OR qualitative:.tw.

94

79

Maximises specificity

qualitative:.tw. OR themes.tw.

50

99

Best balance of sensitivity and specificity

experiences.tw. OR interview:.tw.

OR qualitative.tw.

86

87

CINAHL [Ovid, 24]

Maximises sensitivity

exp study design OR exp attitude

OR exp interviews

99

54

Maximises specificity

exp study design OR exp attitude

grounded theory.sh. OR thematic analysis.mp

53

100

Best balance of sensitivity and specificity

interview.tw. OR audiorecording.sh. OR qualitative stud$.mp.

94

94

  1. aPredates introduction of MeSH term qualitative research in 2002