Information Retrieval Methods Group

The Cochrane Information Retrieval Methods Group (Cochrane IRMG) achieved official registration with Cochrane on 16 November 2004. The Group aims to provide advice and support, to conduct research and to facilitate information exchange regarding the information retrieval activities of Cochrane.   The emphasis is on providing practical support for the development of information retrieval techniques and facilities for information searchers.  One of the main contributions of the IRMG is the annual co-authoring and updating of the Searching for and Selecting Studies chapter of the Cochrane interventions handbook.

These pages were last updated by Bernadette Coles (Co-ordinator) in March 2025. Contact her at colesbm@cardiff.ac.uk

Story of the first Librarian and Information Specialist in the Cochrane Collaboration.  A recorded interview with Carol Lefebvre

Carol Lefebvre, founding and lead convenor of the Cochrane IRMG, was recently invited to be interviewed as part of the Oral History of Evidence Synthesis and Evidence-Based Medicine series.  Available to view from the Youtube link below it includes information about how the IRMG was founded and the early days of searching for studies within Cochrane.

With thanks to Farhad Shokraneh for showcasing the valuable role of librarians in the history of EBHC.
 

Story of the first Librarian and Information Specialist in the Cochrane Collaboration

 General information

Cochrane Methods Groups have been established to develop methodology and advise Cochrane on how the validity and precision of systematic reviews can be improved.

The Group aims to provide advice and support, to conduct research and to facilitate information exchange regarding methods to support the information retrieval activities of Cochrane.

Regularly updated evidence-based healthcare databases