Embedded Files
The InterTASC Information Specialists' Sub-Group Search Filter Resource (ISSG SFR) is a collaborative venture to identify, assess and provide access to search filters designed to retrieve research by study design or focus, such as age, humans, population or setting but not topic. The Search Filter Resource aims to provide easy access to published and unpublished search filters, whether ongoing or completed, validated or not validated.
The ISSG SFR also provides information and guidance on how to critically appraise search filters and information on the development and use of search filters. Inclusion of a search filter on the site is not an endorsement of its validity or a recommendation for its use.
The ISSG SFR social media presence is on Bluesky.
We invite you to follow us @issg-filters.bsky.social. We look forward to your posts and seeing your replies, reposts and ‘likes’ of our posts.
Editorial team: Julie Glanville (Glanville.info), Carol Lefebvre (Lefebvre Associates Ltd), Paul Manson (Aberdeen University), Sophie Robinson (Exeter University), Igor Brbre (Healthcare Improvement Scotland) and Lois Woods (Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre).
Monthly update searches are undertaken to identify search filters for the ISSG SFR.
Learn more about the Search Filter Resource from our presentations and workshops.
This resource is produced by members of the InterTASC Information Specialists' Sub-Group (ISSG). ISSG is the group of information professionals supporting research groups within England and Scotland providing technology assessments to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and other associated Information Specialists.
The Search Filters Resource also provides information and guidance on how to critically appraise search filters, study design filters in progress and information on the development and use of search filters. Inclusion of a search filter is not an endorsement of its validity or a recommendation.
Editorial team: Julie Glanville (Glanville.info), Carol Lefebvre (Lefebvre Associates Ltd), Paul Manson (Aberdeen University), Sophie Robinson (Exeter University), Igor Brbre (Healthcare Improvement Scotland), and Lois Woods (SHTAC).
The current editorial team would like to acknowledge the contributions of:
Naomi Shaw (Exeter University) who was a member of the editorial team from Dec 2020 to February 2023.
Kath Wright (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination) who was lead editor of this Resource for many years and left the project in Dec 2020.
Monthly update searches are undertaken to identify search filters for the Resource.
Follow the site on X (formerly Twitter) or learn more about the Resource.
Search filters for specific study design/focus
Search filters for specific study design/focus
Observational studies / real world data
Public or Patient Views, Values, Issues, Experiences
Other filters
Other filters
AI (artificial intelligence) , software tools, apps, social media
Health applications (apps) - see AI
Health care settings: Primary care, Secondary care, Others
Population group filters (including prehospital/emergency care, pregnancy, sexual minorities, immigrants, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, ethnic groups)
Prescribing, deprescribing, medication discontinuation and approvals
Filters added recently
Filters added recently
Information on issues relating to search filters
Information on issues relating to search filters
This site was last updated 20 February 2026 - latest systematic scan for new filters February 2026
How to cite this site.
Page updated
Report abuse