Observational Studies: Filters
Inclusion of a search filter on this site is not an endorsement of its validity or a recommendation for its use by the editors of this site, by the InterTASC Information Specialists SubGroup or by the (UK) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). For suggestions on the appraisal of filters see the ISSG Search Filter Appraisal Checklist.
This page shows publications that have reviewed search filter performance and individual search filters.
Please note that other filter sites/filter collections may have relevant filters for this topic.
Publications that review search filter performance
Li L, Smith HE, Atun R, Tudor Car L. Search strategies to identify observational studies in MEDLINE and Embase. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Mar 12;3:MR000041. doi: 10.1002/14651858.MR000041.pub2
Individual search filters
Database indexing changes over time and new vocabulary may be introduced. With older filters, please check the subject indexing to ensure that the subject indexing is still current and, if not, consider whether new vocabulary may need to be added to the filter. Please note that if filters are amended, the performance may change from that published in the original articles and the filter should be reported as amended from the original filter.
CINAHL
SIGN search filters [undated] [Ovid]
University of Texas School of Public Health. Search filters for case-control studies, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, epidemiological studies. [Ovid]
Embase
Avau B, Van Remoortel H, De Buck E. Translation and validation of PubMed and Embase search filters for identification of systematic reviews, intervention studies, and observational studies in the field of first aid. J Med Libr Assoc. 2021;109(4):599-608. [Embase.com]
Fraser C, Murray A, Burr J. Identifying observational studies of surgical interventions in MEDLINE and EMBASE. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2006;6(41). [Ovid]
BMJ Clinical Evidence - EMBASE cohort study filter [undated] [Ovid]
Launch search filter in Ovid Embase (subscribers only)
BMJ Clinical Evidence - EMBASE cohort and case-control filter [undated] [Ovid]
Launch search filter in Ovid Embase (subscribers only)
BMJ Clinical Evidence - EMBASE cohort, case-control and case series filter [undated] [Ovid]
Launch search filter in Ovid Embase (subscribers only)
BMJ Clinical Evidence - EMBASE cohort, case-control, case series and case study filter [undated] [Ovid]
Launch search filter in Ovid Embase (subscribers only)
OVID observational studies search filter [undated]
SIGN search filters [undated] [Ovid]
Launch search filter in Ovid Emabse (subscribers only)
MEDLINE
VonVille, Helena. Filters for observational studies.
Avau B, Van Remoortel H, De Buck E. Translation and validation of PubMed and Embase search filters for identification of systematic reviews, intervention studies, and observational studies in the field of first aid. J Med Libr Assoc. 2021;109(4):599-608. [PubMed]
Ogden, K., et al. A Conceptual Search Filter to Identify Real-World Evidence. Value in Health 2015;18(7): A728. [PubMed]
This is a conference abstract - it does not report the filter in detail.
Fraser C, Murray A, Burr J. Identifying observational studies of surgical interventions in MEDLINE and EMBASE. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2006;6(41). [Ovid]
Wieland S, Dickersin K. Selective exposure reporting and Medline indexing limited the search sensitivity for observational studies of the adverse effects of oral contraceptives. J Clin Epidemiol. 2005;58(6):560-7. [PubMed]
Part of this paper was also presented as: Wieland S, Brodney S, Dickersin K. Designing an efficient and precise search strategy for observational studies. 10th Cochrane Colloquium; 2002 31 July - 3 August; Stavanger, Norway:23-4. [PubMed]
BMJ Clinical Evidence - MEDLINE cohort study filter [undated] [Ovid]
Launch search filter in Ovid MEDLINE (subscribers only)
BMJ Clinical Evidence - MEDLINE cohort and case-control filter [undated] [Ovid]
Launch search filter in Ovid MEDLINE (subscribers only)
BMJ Clinical Evidence - MEDLINE cohort, case-control and case series filter [undated] [Ovid]
Launch search filter in Ovid MEDLINE (subscribers only)
BMJ Clinical Evidence - MEDLINE cohort, case-control, case series and case study filter [undated] [Ovid]
Launch search filter in Ovid MEDLINE (subscribers only)
OVID observational studies search filter [undated]
SIGN search filters [undated] [Ovid]
Launch search filter in Ovid MEDLINE (subscribers only)
PsycINFO
University of Texas School of Public Health. Search filters for case-control studies, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, clinical trials. Accessed 06 Dec 2013. [Ovid]