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Background <p>Systematic searches for research within the field of crime interventions are challenging. There is a lack of examples to inform how and where to search, and which resources can help identify research from countries across the world. Updating a systematic map of interventions to reduce gang-related violence included searching 55 resources to identify research published since 2005. The search strategy used in the original review required revision and efforts were made to identify relevant research published outside scholarly journals, and research conducted outside of the USA. The updated search included conventional database searches, network graph searches (citation- and related-item-searching using the former Microsoft Academic Graph), and website searches.</p> Objective <p>The objective of this study is to describe the design of the database update searches and to understand which information resources were useful in identifying relevant records, non-journal records, and records of research conducted outside of the USA.</p> Methods <p>(1) We reflected on the search strategy design process, which was informed from analysing the records in the original systematic map and exploratory searches. (2) We focussed on 157 new records in the updated map that met the eligibility criteria of the original map and matched these to the search results obtained from each information resource.</p> Findings <p>At the planning stage it appeared necessary to search many resources and to use multiple concepts to capture the diverse literature. The 157 relevant records were found across 37 of the 55 information resources searched. These resources spanned multiple research fields. Eleven resources each provided at least 10% of the records, collectively yielding 80% of the records. Citation and related-item searches provided 24 records not identified elsewhere. Just 20% (32/157) of records described studies conducted outside the USA. This included 11% (17) from the UK and 6% (10) from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). There was a lack of resources that supported identification of studies from LMIC. Most of the non-US grey literature comprised reports conducted in the UK.</p> Conclusions <p>Information resources change over time, though the principle of taking a multi-stranded approach to the choice of search terms and selection of information resources appears essential to find intervention research within the field of criminology. Boolean text-based searches can be strengthened by using network graph searching (citation and related-items searches). The findings emphasise challenges for locating research published outside of the USA. Newer resources are worth investigating for their potential in addressing this challenge. We recommend those funding, producing and disseminating research consider how to enhance its visibility and reduce research waste.</p>

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Information retrieval for a global systematic map on interventions to reduce gang violence: reflection and analysis from an update search using 55 resources

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月26日

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  • Claire Stansfield,
  • April Coombe,
  • Michelle Richardson

摘要

Background

Systematic searches for research within the field of crime interventions are challenging. There is a lack of examples to inform how and where to search, and which resources can help identify research from countries across the world. Updating a systematic map of interventions to reduce gang-related violence included searching 55 resources to identify research published since 2005. The search strategy used in the original review required revision and efforts were made to identify relevant research published outside scholarly journals, and research conducted outside of the USA. The updated search included conventional database searches, network graph searches (citation- and related-item-searching using the former Microsoft Academic Graph), and website searches.

Objective

The objective of this study is to describe the design of the database update searches and to understand which information resources were useful in identifying relevant records, non-journal records, and records of research conducted outside of the USA.

Methods

(1) We reflected on the search strategy design process, which was informed from analysing the records in the original systematic map and exploratory searches. (2) We focussed on 157 new records in the updated map that met the eligibility criteria of the original map and matched these to the search results obtained from each information resource.

Findings

At the planning stage it appeared necessary to search many resources and to use multiple concepts to capture the diverse literature. The 157 relevant records were found across 37 of the 55 information resources searched. These resources spanned multiple research fields. Eleven resources each provided at least 10% of the records, collectively yielding 80% of the records. Citation and related-item searches provided 24 records not identified elsewhere. Just 20% (32/157) of records described studies conducted outside the USA. This included 11% (17) from the UK and 6% (10) from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). There was a lack of resources that supported identification of studies from LMIC. Most of the non-US grey literature comprised reports conducted in the UK.

Conclusions

Information resources change over time, though the principle of taking a multi-stranded approach to the choice of search terms and selection of information resources appears essential to find intervention research within the field of criminology. Boolean text-based searches can be strengthened by using network graph searching (citation and related-items searches). The findings emphasise challenges for locating research published outside of the USA. Newer resources are worth investigating for their potential in addressing this challenge. We recommend those funding, producing and disseminating research consider how to enhance its visibility and reduce research waste.