"A systematic review is a scholarly synthesis of the evidence on a clearly presented topic using critical methods to identify, define and assess research on the topic."
Involves a critical appraisal and synthesis of relevant primary research studies to arrive at a summary conclusion that is evidence-based.
Study design: This includes understanding various study designs such as randomized controlled trials, observational studies, case-control studies, and their strengths and limitations in conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Search strategies: It is important to learn how to develop and execute a comprehensive search strategy to identify relevant studies for inclusion in a systematic review.
Selection criteria: Determining the inclusion and exclusion criteria for studies that meet the specific research question is critical in selecting studies for analysis.
Data extraction: Extraction of relevant data from studies using predefined templates is necessary to develop a standardized approach and to reduce bias in review and analysis.
Risk of bias assessment: Understanding how to assess the risk of bias for individual studies and incorporate this into the overall analysis is important to ensure the validity of the results.
Statistical analysis: The statistical methods used to analyze data from multiple studies to generate summary estimates such as pooled effect sizes and confidence intervals should be understood.
Reporting standards: Familiarity with standard reporting guidelines such as PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) is essential for conducting high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Publication bias: Understanding how to identify and assess publication bias is critical to mitigate its effects on the results of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis: Statistical methods such as subgroup analysis and meta-regression can help detect heterogeneity in study results and assess its impact on conclusions.
Ethical considerations: Issues related to informed consent, privacy, and conflicts of interest should be considered when designing and conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Cochrane Systematic Reviews: Cochrane Systematic Reviews are comprehensive and unbiased summaries collating all available evidence to answer specific medical research questions, informing clinical practice and healthcare decision-making.
Diagnostic test accuracy reviews: Diagnostic test accuracy reviews assess the accuracy and efficacy of a specific diagnostic test in accurately identifying a particular condition or disease.
Individual patient data meta-analyses: Individual patient data meta-analyses in Medicine involve pooling, analyzing, and synthesizing raw data from multiple studies' individual patients to provide comprehensive and precise evidence-based conclusions.
Indirect treatment comparisons/meta-analyses of randomized trials: Indirect treatment comparisons/meta-analyses of randomized trials involve comparing the effectiveness of different treatments using data from separate studies, allowing for an assessment of relative treatment effects in the absence of head-to-head comparisons.
Meta-ethnography: Meta-ethnography is a qualitative research synthesis method used in systematic reviews and meta-analyses to analyze and interpret findings from multiple ethnographic studies in order to generate new theoretical insights.
Meta-narrative reviews: Meta-narrative reviews involve the synthesis and interpretation of multiple narratives describing different theoretical perspectives on a specific topic in medicine or healthcare.
Meta-regression: Meta-regression is a statistical technique used in systematic reviews and meta-analyses to explore the relationship between study characteristics and the treatment effect estimates across multiple studies.
Mixed Treatment Comparisons: Mixed treatment comparisons (MTC) is a statistical method in systematic reviews and meta-analyses that allows for the comparison of multiple interventions simultaneously using indirect evidence from various sources.
Network meta-analysis: Network meta-analysis is a statistical technique that allows for indirect comparisons of multiple interventions within a network of randomized controlled trials to estimate the relative efficacy and safety of alternative treatments.
Qualitative systematic reviews: Qualitative systematic reviews aim to synthesize and analyze qualitative research studies to generate a comprehensive understanding of a specific healthcare issue.
Rapid reviews: Rapid reviews in the context of Medicine and systematic reviews and meta-analyses refers to an accelerated process of evidence synthesis aiming to provide timely and concise summaries of current research on a specific topic.
Realist reviews: Realist reviews are a form of systematic review that aims to identify and understand the underlying mechanisms and contextual factors that contribute to the success or failure of healthcare interventions in complex settings.
Scoping reviews: Scoping reviews provide a comprehensive overview of existing literature by mapping the key concepts, types of evidence, and research gaps for a particular research question.
Systematic reviews of economic evaluations: Systematic reviews of economic evaluations involve summarizing and analyzing studies that assess the economic costs and benefits of healthcare interventions to inform decision-making in medicine.
Systematic reviews of qualitative research: Systematic reviews of qualitative research involve comprehensive and rigorous synthesis and analysis of qualitative studies to generate meaningful insights and interpretations in the field of medicine.
Systematic reviews of interventions: Systematic reviews of interventions involve comprehensive and rigorous synthesis of existing evidence to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of specific medical interventions or treatments.
Umbrella reviews: Umbrella reviews provide a comprehensive summary of existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses on a specific topic to assess the certainty and consistency of evidence across multiple studies.
"A systematic review extracts and interprets data from published studies on the topic, then analyzes, describes, critically appraises and summarizes interpretations into a refined evidence-based conclusion."
"While a systematic review may be applied in the biomedical or health care context, it may also be used where an assessment of a precisely defined subject can advance understanding in a field of research."
"A systematic review may examine clinical tests, public health interventions, environmental interventions, social interventions, adverse effects, qualitative evidence syntheses, methodological reviews, policy reviews, and economic evaluations."
"A systematic review of randomized controlled trials is a way of summarizing and implementing evidence-based medicine."
"An understanding of systematic reviews and how to implement them in practice is common for professionals in health care, public health, and public policy."
"A systematic review uses critical methods to identify, define, and assess research on the topic."
"A systematic review is a scholarly synthesis of the evidence on a clearly presented topic using critical methods to identify, define and assess research on the topic."
"A systematic review extracts and interprets data from published studies on the topic, then analyzes, describes, critically appraises and summarizes interpretations into a refined evidence-based conclusion."
"A systematic review may also be used where an assessment of a precisely defined subject can advance understanding in a field of research."
"A systematic review may examine... adverse effects."
"A systematic review may examine... qualitative evidence syntheses."
"A systematic review... critically appraises and summarizes interpretations into a refined evidence-based conclusion."
"A systematic review... may also be used where... policy reviews."
"A systematic review of randomized controlled trials is a way of summarizing and implementing evidence-based medicine."
"A systematic review may examine... economic evaluations."
"A systematic review may examine... methodological reviews."
"A systematic review may examine... public health interventions."
"A systematic review may examine... environmental interventions."
"A systematic review may examine... qualitative evidence syntheses."