FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

How do I search the database?

View the user guide for detailed information on how to conduct searches of the database.

The Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) browser does not load?

The MeSH browser does not work with Internet Explorer. We recommend using Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox.

What is the product type “Full HTA”, “Rapid Review” and “Mini HTA” mean?

These product types refer to the scope of research and evidence that is included in an HTA. These were developed by the INAHTA Quality Assurance Group, and more information can be found here: http://www.inahta.org/hta-tools-resources/ipt-marks/ Please note: not all agencies add these designations to their report records.

What is included in a search for “All” in the drop-down menu on the search bar?

A search for "All" means that all fields will be searched: Title, Author, Language, Keywords, MeSH, Abstracts, Status, Record ID, Country, Source.

What is the "Record ID"?

The Record ID is the unique identifier number for each individual record on the database. The number is 11 digits and is located on the top of each record.

What does “Source” field mean?

This is the HTA agency or organization that produced the HTA.

Can I search in a language other than English?

The preferred language of the database records is English. The database can search exact matches of non-English text, but most agencies include an English title, abstract and keywords, and only English language MeSH terms are used. At present, there are a limited number of non-English keywords or other information included in the database. The language of a report is included and whether or not there is an English language abstract. You can also search by language using the Language field, for example, the database includes several thousand reports published in French, German, Spanish, or Mandarin.

Can I export my search results into a bibliographic reference manager software program, such as EndNote or Zotero?

Yes, you can export your search results as an RIS file for import into reference manager software. You can also export your results as a CSV file for importing into an Excel spreadsheet. To export search results use the Export Selected (the default is all results) option on the right hand side of the page.

Do you have a question to ask? Please contact the database administrator at the INAHTA secretariat, email: HTAdatabase@ihe.ca