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 November 2024. Contact her at colesbm@cardiff.ac.uk

After a number of years without an AGM due to COVID we held an open annual meeting of the Information Retrieval Methods Group during the Cochrane Colloquium in London, UK in September 2023.

It was very well attended and a selection of project updates presented at the London and previous IRGM meetings, along with minutes from previous years can be viewed here. 

 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