About the C2-SPECTR Database

In December 2000, the UK Cochrane Centre transferred SPECTR to the Campbell Collaboration. SPECTR is a registry of over 10,000 randomized and possibly randomized trials in education, social work and welfare, and criminal justice. Augmentation of this registry by the Campbell Collaboration began immediately, and the database was renamed C2-SPECTR.

C2-SPECTR will serve as an important means for identifying studies for inclusion in the Campbell Collaboration’s systematic reviews. Each record in the registry contains citation and availability information, and usually an abstract. The registry is currently maintained using ProCite 5 software which allows for substantial flexibility in managing this large collection of references. Access to C2-SPECTR is provided free of charge to the public via the internet.

Development of C2-SPECTR will involve continual improvement and augmentation with newly identified trials and updated abstracts in an effort to meet three primary goals:

1. Randomization Classification: Clearly identify “verified randomized”, “possibly randomized”, and “non-randomized” studies.

2. Comprehensiveness: Include a fairly complete list of all randomized trials in social work and welfare, education, and criminology.

3. Usefulness: Each record should have a reasonably informative abstract which outlines the method and outcomes of the study.

One primary purpose for maintaining C2-SPECTR is to provide support for individuals doing Campbell systematic reviews. Randomized experiments like those listed in C2-SPECTR often provide the best evidence of effectiveness of policies and programs. Therefore, the registry serves as a primary starting point for gathering information.

Of course this information is potentially useful to anyone who cares about the effects of social and educational programs and practices, and the Campbell Collaboration is dedicated to promoting its accessibility.

For more information regarding the history and early progress in developing SPECTR, see Petrosino, Anthony, Robert F. Boruch, Cath Rounding, Steve McDonald & Iain Chalmers, "The Campbell Collaboration Social, Psychological, Educational and Criminological Trials Register (C2-SPECTR) to Facilitate the Preparation and Maintenance of Systematic Reviews of Social and Educational Interventions," Evaluation Research in Education 14 (2000).