Table 2

Information sources for identification of randomised controlled trials (RCTs)

Bibliographic databasesA combination of two MECIR-required databases (ie, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase) is likely to be sufficient for retrieving published RCTs.17
Further information sources and search techniquesAlternatively, combining a database (eg, MEDLINE) with a supplementary search method may also suffice:
  • Combining a simple MEDLINE search strategy with a PubMed similar articles search is viable for updating clinically focused SRs of RCTs,24 and holds potential for de novo searches for these designs.27

  • For RCTs on newly approved drugs, a combination of ClinicalTrials.gov20 and one MECIR-required database is promising.

  • Combining CENTRAL or Embase with reference list checking may also suffice.17

  • MECIR, Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews; RCT, randomised controlled trial; SRs, systematic reviews.