Research methodsLesson 2 of 2 in the course Evaluation and evidence

Systematic Reviews: Methods, Reporting, Applications, and Limitations

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

A systematic review brings together research on a clearly defined topic using explicit, critical methods. This lesson introduces its purpose, core process, and relationship to other forms of evidence synthesis.

A systematic review is a scholarly synthesis of evidence addressing a clearly presented topic or research question. Reviewers identify relevant published studies, assess them critically, extract information, and combine their findings into a refined, evidence-based conclusion.

All flashcards

What is a systematic review?
A scholarly synthesis that uses explicit, critical methods to identify, assess, and summarize research on a clearly defined question.
How does a systematic review differ from a narrative review?
A systematic review specifies a reproducible approach to finding and assessing evidence. A narrative review generally presents literature without the same formally specified process.
What is a meta-analysis?
A statistical method for combining results from multiple studies, often to estimate an overall effect or other pooled quantity.
Does every systematic review include a meta-analysis?
No. A systematic review can synthesize evidence without statistical pooling, including through qualitative synthesis.
In what fields can systematic reviews be used?
They are used in areas including health care, public health, environmental research, social interventions, education, policy, economics, and research methodology.

Quiz questions

  1. What is PRISMA primarily designed to support?Answer: Complete and transparent reporting of review methods and findings.
  2. What is a central purpose of a scoping review?Answer: Mapping concepts and the extent of evidence in a broad or developing area.
  3. Why might reviewers publish or register a protocol before beginning a review?Answer: It records planned methods for comparison with the completed review and can reduce unplanned duplication.
  4. What is publication bias?Answer: A tendency for studies with favorable findings to be published more often than studies with unfavorable findings.
  5. What does ROBIS assess when applied to a systematic review?Answer: The risk of bias in the systematic review.

Based on the Wikipedia article Systematic review, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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