STAR Guideline Terminology(Ⅱ):Clinical Question Formulation, Evidence Retrieval and Appraisal, and Recommendation Development

Objective To introduce and analyze guideline terminology related to clinical question formulation, evidence retrieval and appraisal, and recommendation development. Methods A systematic search was conducted in guideline development manuals and relevant methodological literature, covering publications up to October 25, 2024. Terminology related to the three aforementioned stages of related to guideline development was extracted from the included literature, standardized, and refined through con- sensus meetings to finalize a comprehensive terminology list and definitions. Results A total of 30 guide- line development manuals and 15 methodological articles were included, and 23 core terms were identified. Conclusions It is recommended to develop a standardized and scientifically sound guideline terminology system with unified naming, clear definitions, and alignment with the linguistic environment and usage habits in China. At the same time, it is essential to strengthen terminology training for both guideline de- velopers and users based on this system, in order to deepen their correct understanding and proper applica- tion of guideline terminology.