Getting started
What is a systematic review?
". . . attempts to collate all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria in order to answer a specific research question. The key characteristics of a systematic review are:
- clearly defined question with inclusion & exclusion criteria
- rigorous & systematic search of all the literature
- critical appraisal of included studies
- data extraction and management
- analysis & interpretation of result
- report for publication" (Duke University).
Systematic reviews may include a meta-analysis (a quantitative method used to synthesise and summarise results). Meta-synthesis is the use of statistical methods to combine data from studies included in a systematic review.
What are Systematic Reviews? by Cochrane (YouTube)
Systematic reviews v. literature reviews
| Systematic review | Literature review | |
| Goals |
Answer a focused clinical question Eliminate bias |
Provide summary or overview of topic |
| Question |
Clearly defined and answerable clinical question Recommend using PICO as a guide |
Can be a general topic or a specific question |
| Components |
Pre-specified eligibility criteria Systematic search strategy Assessment of the validity of findings Interpretation and presentation of results Reference list |
Introduction Methods Discussion Conclusion Reference list |
| Number of authors | Three or more | One or more |
| Timeline |
Months to years Average eighteen months |
Weeks to months |
| Requirements |
Thorough knowledge of topic Perform searches of all relevant databases Statistical analysis resources (for meta-analysis) |
Understanding of topic Perform searches of one or more databases |
| Value |
Connects practicing clinicians to high quality evidence Supports evidence-based practice |
Provides summary of literature on a topic |
This table is a derivative of What's In a Name?: the Difference Between a Systematic Review and a Literature Review and Why It Matters by Lynn Kysh / CC-BY