| Title | Evaluation of five search strategies in retrieving qualitative patient-reported electronic data on the impact of pressure ulcers on quality of life. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2010 |
| Authors | Gorecki CA, Brown JM, Briggs M, Nixon J |
| Journal | Journal of advanced nursing |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pagination | 645-52 |
| Date Published | 2010 Mar |
| ISSN | 1365-2648 |
| Keywords | Databases, Bibliographic; Humans; Information Storage and Retrieval; Leg Ulcer; Qualitative Research; Quality of Life; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity |
| Abstract | AIM: This paper is a report of a study conducted to compare the effectiveness of qualitative methodology search strategies with subject-specific (health-related quality of life) search strategies in the retrieval of qualitative patient-reported data of the impact of pressure ulcers on health-related quality of life.
BACKGROUND: Methods to locate qualitative patient-reported health-related quality of life research data electronically have undergone little replication and validation. A major problem in searching for this type of data is that it is reported in accounts of both primary qualitative research as well as mixed methods research.
DATA SOURCES: We combined five search strategies with terms for pressure ulcer and searched seven electronic databases from inception to October 2007.
METHODS: The sensitivity, specificity, precision and accuracy for each search strategy were assessed.
RESULTS: A subject-specific (health-related quality of life) search strategy, developed by us, had a high yield (100% sensitivity), but low specificity (<50%). The research methodology-based strategies had lower yields (sensitivity 72-83%) but high specificity (79-83%). Importantly, subject-specific search strategies identified all studies reporting qualitative patient-reported health-related quality of life data, whereas, research methodology-based strategies did not identify qualitative data reported in mixed method studies, making subject-based strategies more effective in retrieving qualitative patient-reported health-related quality of life research.
CONCLUSION: An important consideration in the health-related quality of life field is that qualitative data are reported in both qualitative and mixed methodology research and searching for this type data involves trade-offs between yield, sensitivity and specificity. Accurate indexing of subject-specific outcomes and methodology used in electronic databases and publications is also needed. |
| URL | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05192.x/pdf |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05192.x |
| Alternate Journal | J Adv Nurs |
