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Simulation-based Active Learning for Systematic Reviews: A Scoping Review of Literature

Teijema, Jelle Jasper, Ribeiro, Guilherme, Seuren, Sofie, Anadria, Daniel, Bagheri, Ayoub, van de Schoot, Rens·2023

Abstract

This scoping review investigated the utility of active learning in accelerating the systematic review process. We reviewed literature from 2006 onwards and selected 60 relevant articles out of 1887 screened, while incorporating 238 out of 336 collected datasets. Our analysis of the articles found that, despite some limitations, all 60 articles provided positive recommendations for using active learning to improve the efficiency of the screening phase in systematic reviews. Future research should focus on standardizing metrics, promoting open data, and diversifying models to advance active learning in systematic reviews.

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Crossref · 10.31234/osf.io/67zmt

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Figures

Figure 1 PRISMA flowchart representing the workflow for the current study, along with the amount of literature found and discarded in each step.
Figure 1 PRISMA flowchart representing the workflow for the current study, along with the amount of literature found and discarded in each step.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 2 In this graph for the screening phase of the systematic review, the blue line represents the amount of relevant papers identified at a certain number of papers screening, a metric known as the recall. The dotted yellow line shows the moment the screening was halted, and the black line represents the hypothetical recall for random screening. The x-axis indicates the total dataset of records.
Figure 2 In this graph for the screening phase of the systematic review, the blue line represents the amount of relevant papers identified at a certain number of papers screening, a metric known as the recall. The dotted yellow line shows the moment the screening was halted, and the black line represents the hypothetical recall for random screening. The x-axis indicates the total dataset of records.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 3 Recall graph for literature update phase of this systematic review. The x axis shows the total dataset of records.
Figure 3 Recall graph for literature update phase of this systematic review. The x axis shows the total dataset of records.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 4 Histogram visualizing the number of papers per year. While the search was started at 2006, no papers were found between 2006 and 2010.
Figure 4 Histogram visualizing the number of papers per year. While the search was started at 2006, no papers were found between 2006 and 2010.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 5 Boxplot with the number of datasets used in the included papers.
Figure 5 Boxplot with the number of datasets used in the included papers.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 6 Barplot showing the frequency of metrics used in studies.
Figure 6 Barplot showing the frequency of metrics used in studies.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 7 Stacked bar chart illustrating the actual availability of reported resources in relation to the frequency of their occurrence. The categories on the x-axis represent the types of resources reported, while the y-axis displays the reported frequency. The differently colored segments of each bar denote the actual availability, highlighting discrepancies between what was reported and the reality of access.
Figure 7 Stacked bar chart illustrating the actual availability of reported resources in relation to the frequency of their occurrence. The categories on the x-axis represent the types of resources reported, while the y-axis displays the reported frequency. The differently colored segments of each bar denote the actual availability, highlighting discrepancies between what was reported and the reality of access.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 8 Density plot of the log-transformed number of records in each dataset, with the x-axis representing the number of records and the y-axis indicating the density. This visualization highlights the distribution of dataset sizes within the reviewed studies.
Figure 8 Density plot of the log-transformed number of records in each dataset, with the x-axis representing the number of records and the y-axis indicating the density. This visualization highlights the distribution of dataset sizes within the reviewed studies.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 9 Horizontal bar chart depicting the distribution of fields across the datasets under review. The y-axis represents various fields, while the x-axis indicates the relative frequency of each field. This visualization demonstrates the prevalence of different fields within the analyzed datasets.
Figure 9 Horizontal bar chart depicting the distribution of fields across the datasets under review. The y-axis represents various fields, while the x-axis indicates the relative frequency of each field. This visualization demonstrates the prevalence of different fields within the analyzed datasets.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 10 Scatterplot depicting the relationship between the number of records and the number of inclusions, with outliers removed for clarity. The x-axis represents the number of records, while the y-axis displays the number of inclusions. The plot highlights the association between these two variables within the context of the analyzed datasets.
Figure 10 Scatterplot depicting the relationship between the number of records and the number of inclusions, with outliers removed for clarity. The x-axis represents the number of records, while the y-axis displays the number of inclusions. The plot highlights the association between these two variables within the context of the analyzed datasets.CC-BY · From the PDF
Figure 11 Horizontal bar chart showcasing the frequency of machine learning model choices employed in the studies. The y-axis represents various machine learning models, while the x-axis indicates their frequency of usage. This visualization highlights the popularity of different models within the context of the analyzed studies.
Figure 11 Horizontal bar chart showcasing the frequency of machine learning model choices employed in the studies. The y-axis represents various machine learning models, while the x-axis indicates their frequency of usage. This visualization highlights the popularity of different models within the context of the analyzed studies.CC-BY · From the PDF

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Citations

Cites

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Metadata

Authors
Teijema, J. J., Ribeiro, G., Seuren, S., Anadria, D., Bagheri, A., & van de Schoot, R.
Published
2023-06-29
Cited by
10
References
23
Type
Preprint

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