The InterTASC Information Specialists’ Sub-Group (ISSG) Search Filter Resource is a collection of tested and untested filters (inclusion is not endorsement). As well as filters for a variety of databases and database interfaces for all sorts of studies and topics, it includes information about how to critically appraise filters and how filters are developed. There are in-built filters in some databases and this resource has a nice round up of them.
Filters are used at the end of complex searches to restrict retrieval and are either sensitive (maximise recall – for a particular study type for example), or precision (aimed to reduce noise). The choice of which to use is always governed by the research question. If you work in search strategy design for systematic reviews or health technology assessments, knowledge about filters is essential. And if you are new to this area, it is worth playing with different filters against a single strategy to see how they work (this is also good practice if you are weighing up different filters before making a final choice).
ISSG Search Filter Resource [Internet]. Glanville J, Lefebvre C, Wright K, editors. York (UK): The InterTASC Information Specialists’ Sub-Group; 2008 [updated 2019 August 12; cited 31 October 2019]. Available from:
https://sites.google.com/a/york.ac.uk/issg-search-filters-resource/home
Exploring the Evidence Base 