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Systematic Review

Introduction

What is a Systematic review?
A systematic literature review is an all-inclusive and organized method that aims to gather all empirical evidence that meets pre-established eligibility criteria in order to address a specific research question. By adhering to pre-defined methods, this review discovers, assesses, and combines existing research on a particular topic or question. Its main goal is to provide consolidated evidence that can guide decision-making, particularly in clinical practice or other relevant fields. By methodically analyzing and summarizing the available evidence, a systematic review provides a strong evaluation of the effectiveness or efficacy of interventions, treatments, or healthcare practices. Through this process, it aims to contribute to the body of knowledge and guide informed decision-making based on the best available evidence.
Characteristics of Systematic review:
1. Comprehensive inclusion of relevant studies.
2. Structured and predefined methods.
3. Clear focus on specific research question.
4. Evaluation of study quality and bias.
5. Synthesis of evidence from multiple studies.
6. Informing decision-making through reliable evidence summary.
 

Steps of conducting Systematic Review

  1. Topic selection: Precisely state the research question or objective that the systematic review is designed to address.

  2. Create & register protocol: Create a detailed protocol outlining the review's objectives, eligibility criteria, search strategy, data extraction methods, and analysis techniques.

  3. Literature search: Perform an extensive search across multiple databases and other sources to locate relevant studies. Document the search strategy and record all search results.

  4. Study selection: Evaluate the identified studies against predetermined eligibility criteria to determine their inclusion or exclusion from the review. This step usually entails reviewing titles, abstracts, and full texts of the articles to assess their relevance and suitability for the review.

  5. Data extraction: Retrieve pertinent information from the chosen studies, such as study characteristics, outcomes, and other relevant data. This stage often involves developing a standardized data extraction form to facilitate the process.

  6. Risk of bias assessment: Evaluate the methodological rigor and reliability of the evidence by assessing the quality and potential bias of each included study using suitable tools or frameworks. This step aids in determining the overall credibility and trustworthiness of the research findings.

  7. Data synthesis: Analyze the extracted data and integrate the findings from the included studies. This process may employ statistical methods, such as meta-analysis, when suitable and feasible, to provide a comprehensive and aggregated summary of the results.

  8. Synthesizing data and reporting: Analyze the synthesized findings, carefully considering any limitations, and draw meaningful conclusions based on the available evidence. Prepare a comprehensive report or manuscript following established reporting guidelines, such as PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), to ensure transparent and standardized reporting of the review's methods, results, and implications.

  9. Peer review and publication: Submit the systematic review for peer review and publication in a relevant academic journal or other appropriate outlets.