Adopt a conservative abstract-screening strategy with a 'maybe' category and keyword exclusion filters to prevent premature exclusion¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

At abstract screening, the team "intentionally adopted a conservative screening strategy, retaining studies for further review unless they were not clearly irrelevant at the abstract screening." They used a "maybe" or "uncertain" category as a safeguard against premature exclusion, and used keyword exclusion (e.g., flagging "elementary," "middle school," or "primary education" for a higher-education review) to reduce screening burden and improve consistency when abstracts were sparse or terminology differed.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Review management systems that allow marking studies as 'maybe' and adding comments to justify decisions
• Shared screening guidelines and calibration exercises for interdisciplinary teams

Constraints¶

• The inclusive approach increases the number of studies requiring further review, adding workload and extending the screening timeline

Target Learners¶

• novice researchers and interdisciplinary teams conducting abstract screening

Target Learning Goals¶

• consistent and rigorous study selection in systematic reviews

Affordances¶

• Sr As Intentional Learning Experience Mentoring

Related Strategies¶

• Use practice rounds with independent dual extraction and third-reviewer consensus to strengthen data extraction consistency
• Future AI-SRL research should broaden search strategies, include educators and younger learners, address motivation, and apply longitudinal designs
• Use broad and specific keywords and develop methodological search filters to improve retrieval of arts-based research

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Xiyu Wang, Fatemeh Dadashipour, Basori, Yukiko Maeda, & Jennifer C. Richardson. (2026). Scaffolding systematic reviews in learning design and technology through mentoring and AI integration. Educational technology research and development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-026-10629-8