Insights from using an outcomes measurement properties search filter and conducting citation searches to locate psychometric articles of tools used to measure context attributes

OBJECTIVES: To describe our experience with using a methodological outcomes measurement search filter (precise and sensitive versions of a filter designed to locate articles that report on psychometric properties of measurement tools) and citation searches to locate psychometric articles for tools that can be used to measure context attributes. To compare the precise filter when used alone and with reference list checking to citation searching according to number of records found, precision, and sensitivity. RESULTS: Using the precise filter, we located 130 of 150 (86.6%) psychometric articles related to 22 of 31 (71.0%) tools that potentially measured an attribute of context. In a subset of six tools, the precise filter alone was more precise than searching with the precise filter combined with reference list searching, or citation searching alone. The precise filter combined with reference list checking was the most sensitive search method examined. Overall, we found the precise filter helpful for our project as it decreased record screening time. For non-patient reported outcomes tools, we had less success with locating psychometric articles using the precise filter because some psychometric articles were not indexed in PubMed. More research that systematically evaluates database searching methods is needed to validate our findings. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-023-06294-2.