Note: This procedure helps you keep track of the information that will be needed to report the methods in the article and also to fill in the PRISMA flow diagram.
The steps below cover Ovid MEDLINE, Embase Classic+Embase on Ovid, PubMed, and CINAHL on EBSCO.
We recommend exporting RIS files that can be imported into Covidence for deduplication and screening.
You can use EndNote or other citation software as an intermediary step, although it is not required. EndNote is useful for managing references and full text.
If EndNote does not seem to include an export filter for the database you are using or the available export filter does not seem to be working properly, search the web for [database name] EndNote export filter, or visit https://www.endnote.com/downloads/filters/ to search for an updated or additional filter.
We often start by exporting records from Ovid MEDLINE, if applicable (you may have decided to only use PubMed to search MEDLINE; those instructions are below):
You can use a tool called Publish or Perish (download the program)
Note: You Cannot have syntax errors in your query or you will get 0 results
Export up to 1000 records > Save file as RIS
If using EndNote, you may be able to update the bibliographic information up to a point: Select all (or do in smaller batches given the process can take a lot of time), go to Menu: References > Find Reference Updates
Due to a large influx of requests, there may be an extended wait time for librarian support on knowledge syntheses.
Find a librarian in your subject area to help you with your knowledge synthesis project.
Or contact the librarians at the
Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering
schulich.library@mcgill.ca
McGill Library • Questions? Ask us!
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