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Table 4 Size of initial retrieval per review.

From: Optimizing search strategies to identify randomized controlled trials in MEDLINE

Search strategy

Size of initial retrieved articles Median (interquartile range)

Size of included studies retrieved Median (interquartile range)

Article Read Ratio1

Estimated time to finish a review (hours)2

SS123

1636 (4042)

9 (14)

182

1086

SS12

408 (1210)

8 (12)

51

818

SScrossover

408 (1216)

8 (12)

51

818

SSCROSS-OVERSTUDIES

408 (1211)

8 (12)

51

818

SSvolunteer

408 (1235)

8 (12)

51

818

SSversus

430 (1361)

8 (12)

54

823

  1. Note 1. Article Read Ratio = Median of Initial Retrieved Articles/Median of Included Studies Retrieved
  2. Note 2. Estimated time to finish a review = 721 + 0.243x - 0.0000123x2, where x denotes the median of size of initial retrieved articles showed in Column 2 of this table.