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Searching chiropractic literature: a comparison of three computerized databases
P D Aker1, C McDermaid, B G Opitz
1Division of Graduate Studies and Research, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
|October 1, 1996
Summary
MEDLINE is the most efficient database for chiropractors, offering the most relevant citations at the lowest cost. For comprehensive literature searches, combine MEDLINE with another database, ideally with a librarian’s assistance.
Area of Science:
- Bibliographic database efficiency
- Medical literature retrieval
- Chiropractic research
Background:
- Effective literature searching is crucial for evidence-based practice in chiropractic.
- Assessing the efficiency of different bibliographic databases aids in optimizing information retrieval for healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficiency of three computerized bibliographic databases: CHIROLARS, Index to Chiropractic Literature (ICL), and MEDLINE.
- To compare their performance in retrieving literature relevant to chiropractors, focusing on specific conditions like scoliosis, sciatica, and neck pain.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study searched English-language citations from 1990-1992.
- Relevance of retrieved citations was assessed by two independent assessors, with reliability measured using the weighted Kappa statistic.
- Efficiency was measured by relative recall and cost per relevant citation.
Main Results:
- MEDLINE retrieved the highest proportion of relevant citations (68%) at the lowest cost (CAN$0.52 per relevant citation).
- CHIROLARS achieved 23% relative recall at CAN$1.01 per citation, while ICL retrieved 10% at CAN$0.65 per citation.
- Inter- and intra-examiner reliability for relevance assessment was moderate to fair.
Conclusions:
- MEDLINE is the most efficient database for chiropractic literature searches, providing the best balance of relevance and cost.
- No single database is sufficient for comprehensive information retrieval; a combination of databases is recommended.
- Collaboration with an experienced reference librarian is advised for optimal literature searching strategies.