How to Screen Titles and Abstracts

Title and abstract screening is the first selection stage: reviewers read each record and decide whether it could meet the inclusion criteria. Be inclusive at this stage ("include or maybe") and decide finally at full text. Two independent reviewers reduce errors.

Workflow

1. Prepare: import de-duplicated records into a screening tool (for example a reference manager or a dedicated platform; see How to Use Rayyan for Systematic Review Screening).
2. Calibrate: both reviewers screen the same 50–100 records, compare, and refine understanding of the criteria.
3. Screen independently, blinded to each other's decisions where the tool allows.
4. Mark each record: include, exclude or maybe.
5. Resolve conflicts by discussion or a third reviewer (see How to Resolve Disagreements During Study Screening).
6. Record counts for the flow diagram.

Tips

• Screen in short sessions to avoid fatigue.
• Keep a short decision guide with examples of borderline cases.
• If abstracts are missing, retrieve the full text.
• Do not exclude on outcome alone if outcomes may not be mentioned in abstracts.

Illustrative example

Invented for teaching. In calibration on 60 records, reviewers disagree on 9, mostly because "adolescents" was not defined. They agree to use ages 10–19, update the guide, and rescreen. They then screen 2,000 records, with 120 conflicts resolved by discussion.

Using tools and software well

Screening platforms can show conflicts, track counts and let you tag reasons. Some offer machine-learning ranking to prioritise likely relevant records; if you use such features, state how, and do not stop screening on the basis of a ranking without a pre-specified, justified rule. Export a copy of all decisions at the end so that the audit trail survives if the platform changes.

Common pitfalls

• Excluding too readily on a vague abstract.
• Screening alone with no check.
• Not keeping the screening decisions.

Key takeaways

• Be inclusive at this stage; calibrate and work independently.
• Keep an audit trail of decisions.

This page is general educational information about research methods. It is not medical, legal or regulatory advice; follow your institution's ethics board and your target journal's instructions.