 |
According to the Cochrane Handbook and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) : a
systematic review attempts to collate all
empirical evidence that fits pre-specified
eligibility criteria in order to answer a specific
research question. It uses explicit, systematic
methods that are selected with a view to
minimizing bias, thus providing more reliable
findings from which conclusions can be drawn
and decisions made.
Key characteristics of a systematic review:
1. A clearly stated set of objectives with predefined
eligibility criteria for studies
2. An explicit, reproducible methodology
3. A systematic search that attempts to identify
all studies that meet the eligibility criteria
4. An assessment of the validity of the findings of
the included studies, for example through the
assessment of risk of bias
5. A systematic presentation, and synthesis, of
the characteristics and findings of the included
studies
|
 |
Librarians can support you to complete a systematic review.
Please visit any HNE Health Library branch to discuss your project and learn more about the ways in which we can assist you.
You can also complete this Systematic Review Course developed in conjunction with (HETI). The aim of this course is to step participants through the processes of a systematic literature search, study selection, data extraction and writing up of a review for publication, or to inform policy or health service practice.
|