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Table 5 Title and abstract screening questions to be used to identify literature for inclusion in the full article screening process

From: A protocol for a systematic literature review: comparing the impact of seasonal and meteorological parameters on acute respiratory infections in Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples

Screening domain and question

Characteristics for assessment

Yes—include

No—exclude

Unclear—include

Research design: Does the title/abstract describe a primary observational research study?

Yes: The study employs an observational or ecological study design.

No: The study is a review, commentary, editorial, mathematical model, or other non-primary research, or is experimental.

Unclear: It is unclear if the study design is primary research from the title and abstract.

Publication type:

Does the title and abstract come from a published study, government report, non-governmental report, or post-secondary institutional thesis (exceeding 500 words in length)?

Yes: The study is a published study, or government report, non-governmental report, or post-secondary institutional thesis (exceeding 500 words in length).

No: The study is not a published study, government report, non-governmental report, or post-secondary institutional thesis or is fewer than 500 words in length.

Unclear: It is unclear if the study is a published study, or government report, non-governmental report, or post-secondary institutional thesis (exceeding 500 words in length) from the title and abstract.

Population: Does the population of interest include both an Indigenous population and non-Indigenous population living in the same geographical region?

Yes: The study population describes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples living in the same geographical region.

No: The population of interest is entirely Indigenous or non-Indigenous or the populations are not within the same region.

Unclear: It is unclear if the population of interest is both Indigenous and non-Indigenous from the title and abstract.

Outcome: Does the title and/or abstract describe research on the association between ARI and any exposure?

Yes: One or all of the outcomes of interest in the study are ARI, defined by the case definition for this review (i.e. acute infection (less than 14 days duration, if duration is stated) with coughing as symptom, with or without any accompanying symptoms).

No: There is no ARI-related health outcome measured in the study.

Unclear: It is unclear if the health outcome of interest is ARI from the title and abstract.

Exposure: Is the study’s exposure of interest a seasonal or meteorological factor (defined as observable weather events, primarily consisting of temperature, precipitation, barometric pressure, humidity, sunlight, and the interactions and temporal variability of these parameters)?

Yes: The exposure of interest is a seasonal or meteorological factor.

No: The exposure of interest is not a seasonal or meteorological factor.

Unclear: It is unclear if the exposure of interest is a seasonal or meteorological factor.