What is a Systematic Review? - Pubrica

What is a Systematic Review
Dr. Nancy Agens, Head,
research as it requires a careful analysis
of the quality, quantity, and consistency
of research findings. Systematic reviews
formulate research questions that are
specifically targeted and designed to
provide a complete summary of the issue
based on evidence. The methodology used
in systematic reviews is specific and
precise, which intends to minimize bias by
increasing the reliability of the drawn
conclusion.
identifying comprehensive studies for a
research specific question through
summarizing the results, presenting key
findings, identifying reasons for produced
results across the study and mentioning
limitations with current knowledge. A
systematic review is the most reliable
source of evidence for clinical practices as
it delivers thorough summary of primary
research in response to the defined
research question and it is also known as
secondary research because of the nature
and use of existing research study. Though
systematic review can be performed on all
primary research, they are often used for
guideline development, and the findings
are applied mainly within the healthcare
systems. In a systematic review, the
compiled information tends to be explicit
and more transparent using reproducible
methods. Further, it expresses a precise
aim through rigorous search with
predetermined eligibility criteria for
the findings, a systematic presentation and
synthesis of the included primary research
studies. The methodology used in
systematic reviews is specific and precise,
which intends to minimize bias by
increasing the reliability of the drawn
conclusion. The produced results of a
systematic review can be summarized
either in text or graphic form, and it
depends upon the nature of the primary
data.
reporting standards designed for
(Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
reviews and Meta-Analyses), provides a
set of regulations on how to report a
systematic review. Likewise, for selecting
a secondary research question, there are
designated formats. A systematic review
question typically focused research
usually fitted into the PICO question
format. One such example is "In people
with multiple sclerosis, what is the extent
to which a walking intervention, compared
to no intervention, improves self-report
fatigue?". Based on the specific guidelines,
the primary two organization which
administer the conducting of a systematic
review are the Campbell Collaboration and
the Cochrane Collaboration. While the
Cochrane Collaboration focuses on the
health sciences subject area, the Campbell
collaboration works on other areas such as
crime and justice, international
In addition to these organizations, the
individual research team can work on
systematic review in attempting to answer
a research question.
II. WHAT MAKES AN EXCELLENT
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW?
A focused question
Synthesize study results
Analysis and limitations
is a research method used to address a
specific research question and formulating
a well-constructed research question is
essential for a successful review.
Inclusion/exclusion criteria – It studies
reason. For instance, the most reliable
method for conducting a review through
randomized studies whereas for including
or excluding studies, the author needs a
logical reason.
explain the methods used for finding
relevant studies which include published
and unpublished clinical trial reports,
online database search, as well as
approaching experts in finding
study criteria and collect relevant data for
conducting a systematic review.
identifying the risk of bias in secondary
research
on the included data, the author must
determine the effectiveness of an
intervention using meta-analysis. Whereas
can provide a narrative analysis by
describing the initial results.
should discuss the addressed area of study,
the findings, and how the review results
change the existing limitations.
Different types of reviews:
addressing questions of effectiveness,
diagnostic accuracy, and prognosis.
Literature Review
Key section Systematic review Literature review
Question Mainly focused on one
question
question
protocol or plan
Background Both the review presents the summaries of the available
literature on a topic
Objectives Study-specific objectives are
identified
is conducted
Not mandatorily specified
Search strategy A systematic search will be The search strategy will not
conducted
Process of evaluating
used in formulating
a single question
will be provided based on
evidence
may not be specified.
Discussion An expert or group of professionals write them with a well-
grounded knowledge of the issues.
Reproduced from: Learning how to undertake a systematic review: part 1 DOI:
10.7748/ns2010.08.24.50.47.c7939
relevant studies or on research question
specific study. Predetermined reproducible
abstracts will be followed. Each study will
then be assessed in terms of
methodological quality, and finally, the
evidence is synthesized.
1', Nursing Standard (through 2013), vol. 24, no.
50, pp. 47-55
Issue 3 - p 53-58. DOI:
10.1097/01.NAJ.0000444496.24228.2c
Reviews. Evidence-Based Library and Information
Practice, 8(3), 83-84.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ebn.2011.0049