The Spanish geographic filter for its application in the MEDLINE database: update proposal

Abstract

Objective: Construction of a geographic filter for identification in MEDLINE of studies with Spanish filiation, through a modular structure (filter A and/or B). Methods: We used the Boolean Association of different equations. E1: Spain in different languages. E2: Autonomous communities. E3: Spanish cities of more than 100000 inhabitants. E4: Spanish cities where a hospital is located. The pattern of comparison was the filter published by Sanz-Valero et al (Med Segur Trab. 2008;54:75-83). The study sample was obtained through the estimation of population parameters with simple random sampling without replacement. In order to assess the adequacy of the results, the precision and sensitivity indicators were calculated. Results: From the application of the filters, the following data were obtained: filter A 534353, filter B 407315 and filter pattern 437688 references. The adequacy of the results was calculated with precision and sensitivity indicators, the one of filter A was 82.12%, filter B 100% and of the pattern 96.63%. The relevance of 82.12%, 100% and 96.63% respectively and the sensitivity of 100.26%, 93.06% and 96.63%. Conclusion: It was proved the suitability of the proposed filter, with high sensitivity and relevance, noting the validity of the filter used as a «gold standard».

Keywords

• Access to information
• Information storage and retrieval
• Health research evaluation
• MEDLINE;
• Bibliometrics