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Integration of data analytic tools to increase efficiency in literature search and review processes
Citation:
Olker, J., C. Elonen, AND D. Hoff. Integration of data analytic tools to increase efficiency in literature search and review processes. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
The ECOTOXicology Knowledgebase (ECOTOX, www.epa.gov/ecotox) is the world’s largest compilation of ecotoxicity data and has provided support for chemical assessments and research for over 30 years. Relevant toxicity studies are identified through systematic and transparent procedures, with test methods and results extracted from acceptable studies. These curated data then then added to the publicly available website and provided to USEPA Programs and other stakeholders for further evaluation and use in assessments. Improved efficiency in the process to search, identify, and curate data are needed in order to meet the demands for high quality curated toxicity data within shorter timeframes, especially as the number of chemicals introduced into commerce continues to grow and availability of ecotoxicological research results and publications expands. Described here are the chemical and literature search tools developed and implemented to improve the efficiency, documentation, and transparency of the ECOTOX procedures.
Description:
The ECOTOX Knowledgebase is a comprehensive web-based database compiled and maintained by ORD-Duluth to provide information of the effects of chemicals on ecologically-relevant aquatic and terrestrial organisms (www.epa.gov/ecotox/). The data in ECOTOX are extracted from peer-reviewed literature and EPA sources, using robust search methods and standardized review protocols. To be current and defensible, the ECOTOX Knowledgebase requires constant updating with new chemical, biological and toxicological publications. The procedure for including new toxicity data in ECOTOX can be described in five sequential steps: 1) chemical verification for search terms, 2) literature search, 3) ‘skimming’ of references (titles and abstracts) to identify and acquire relevant literature, 4) reviewing the literature (full-text), and 5) data extraction of relevant data into ECOTOX. Most steps of these processes have been highly dependent on manual curation, often considered the gold standard for accuracy and precision, but very labor and time intensive. Since 2018, there has been a focused effort to incorporates methods into the ECOTOX processes which to increase the efficiency and timeliness of updates with toxicity data for use by Agency Program Office, researchers, and other stakeholders. This is imperative the meet the demands for high quality curated data within shorter timeframes, especially as the number of chemicals introduced into commerce continues to grow and availability of ecotoxicological research results and publications expands.